U'khand Cong demands FIR against Modi

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Monday moved the Election Commission, seeking registration of an FIR against the prime minister for addressing an election rally in Haridwar without requisite permissions from the state.

A delegation of Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary Ambika Soni and Uttarakhand party chief Kishor Upadhyaya, also urged the poll authority to make an assessment of the election expenses incurred by the BJP, alleging gross misuse of the state machinery to ferry cash and campaign material in the hill state.

Speaking to reporters, Rawat said the February 15 elections to the Uttarakhand Assembly were not free and fair as there were different yardsticks for the Congress and BJP leaders.

“We would like to bring to your notice that the helicopters and cars of the chief minister were searched multiple times,  whereas the helicopters and cars used by various central ministers were allowed to go unchecked,” the chief minister said.

Upadhyaya said the poll commission had ordered filing of an FIR against Rawat and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for delaying the conclusion of the road show on February 12, but ignored complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders.

The Congress also wanted the Election Commission to enforce a rule to ensure that postal votes cast after the designated time of polling were counted. As per the current rules, postal ballots received up to 8 am on the date of counting are considered valid.