Praising the Election Commission’s (EC) order to the Gujarat authorities to file a First Information Report (FIR) against BJP’s PM nominee Narendra Modi and the electronic media that showed him flashing the “lotus” near the polling booth — in violation of election laws, Union Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said he is happy about the decision taken by the EC.
Speaking on the matter, Modi said that the Congress was frustrated. FIR has been filed because I showed Kamal symbol to people.. You can understand how frustrated the Congress party is.. they are worried that how a chaiwala can challenge such a huge empire,” said Modi addressing a rally in Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh.
Modi not only had waved the lotus but also addressed the media and answered many questions which the opposition parties have alleged amount to campaigning even though it is prohibited under Section 126 1(B) of the Representation of the People Act.
Section 126 1(B) of the Representation of the People Act prohibits any candidate from displaying election material 48 hours before the period fixed for polling.
The FIR has been filed by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch as Ranip where Modi cast his vote and addressed the media while displaying the BJP election symbol is under the Ahmedabad Police even though the polling booth comes under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency from where party patriarch LK Advani is contesting.
The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party demanded action against him, saying it was a violation of the model code of conduct.
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday demanded an FIR against Narendra Modi for displaying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) symbol after casting his vote in Gujarat, not sparing even the media which telecast his press conference. But the BJP maintained that Modi did not violate any rules and regulations.
“We respect the EC and it is a constitutional body of the country. Thus we will await the verdict of the EC and whatever it is we will abide by it. According to us Mr Modi did not violate the model of code of conduct because he never held any press conference.” said BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi.
But the Congress called Modi a habitual offender. “Modi is a habitual offender of code of conduct. He launched the BJP manifesto on polling day and filed his nomination on a polling day. The EC should take stern action against him,” said Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad.
However, former Chief Election Commissioner of India TS Krishnamurthy was not sure about Modi breaking any law, “What Modi has done is a debatable point. It is difficult to prove that he is campaigning. I am doubtful that it can be held as a violation,” he said.
The poll body directed authorities in Gujarat to take necessary action against the CM and the media under Section 126 1(B) of the Representation of the People Act.
The section prohibits any candidate from displaying election material 48 hours before the period fixed for polling. The EC has not said what action it will take. It has asked the Gujarat authorities to furnish a compliance report by 6 pm today.
Modi, right after casting his vote, held a press conference in Ranip, during which he waved a lotus-shaped pin that he is often seen wearing on his chest during election rallies. The lotus is the symbol of the BJP.
The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) objected to it. Both demanded action against him.