JOIN USThe Congress cried foul over the widely televised spectacle of Narendra Modi filing his nomination from Varanasi on Thursday.
The Congress claimed that the BJP had organised special screenings of the rally in 117 constituencies that went to polls on Thursday. It rushed to the Election Commission demanding registration of an FIR against BJP leaders. The party also questioned the poll panel’s “inaction” in issuing guidelines to media outlets to not telecast Modi’s road show.
In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, the Congress claimed that BJP workers had put up large screens across constituencies where elections were held on Thursday, showing the entire programme of Modi filing his nomination as a candidate from Varanasi.
“The entire election process in all these 117 constituencies is totally vitiated and is contrary to provisions of Representation of Peoples Act. It is not only a case for registration of FIR under Section 126 of R.P. Act but to prevent continuation of such campaigning,” K C Mittal, secretary, AICC legal department said.
Later, a Congress delegation led by AICC general secretary Ajay Maken met the CEC with a request to step up vigil in Vadodara, the second constituency from where Modi is in fray. “Special observers, including senior Election Commission officials, may kindly be posted and stationed at Vadodara and other constituencies in Gujarat to ensure that no manipulation and mischief is done by (Gujarat government) officials or BJP workers,” the Congress petition to the poll authority said.
At a briefing, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said the telecast of Modi’s road show was a “flagrant violation” of the Model Code of Conduct.