Of the 11 complaints filed against Modi for poll violations, EC has given a clean chit to the PM in six cases.
The Election Commission has reportedly given clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two more cases of alleged violation of poll code.
The Congress had moved the Election Commission alleging that PM Modi took out a “road show” after casting his vote on April 23 in Ahmedabad and made political remarks in violation of the model code of conduct.
The EC had sought a report from the chief electoral officer of Gujarat on the matter.
However, the EC has given clean chit to PM Modi in the matter.
Another case relates to a rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chitradurga in Karnataka on April 9, where while greeting first-time voters across the country, he asked them to dedicate their vote to the heroes of Balakot strike.
Citing how a strong government functions, Modi again referred to the Balakot air strike in response to the Pulwama carnage.
“There was a time five years ago when Pakistan’s terrorists used to attack us and Pakistan used to threaten us. Our brave soldiers used to seek permission for action, but the government then sat in fear. This Chowkidar (watchman) has changed the situation. Now if there is fear, it is on the other side of the border. People sitting in power there are getting different types of nightmares… Terrorists are frightened after Balakot attack,” he said in his speech.
“The chief minister (HD Kumaraswamy) here went a step ahead and said the bravery of Indian soldiers should not be spoken because it will affect their vote bank… I want to ask the chief minister whether his vote bank is in India or in Pakistan? The chief minister should clarify,” PM Modi further said.
Under the BJP’s watch it is the policy of “New India” that it will kill terrorists by barging into their dens, he added.
PM Modi had spoken on similar lines earlier on that day in Maharashtra’s Latur. The EC had given him a clean chit in that case as well. However, one of the two election commissioners had given a dissenting view in the decision of the ‘full Election Commission’ to give clean chit to the PM.
Of the 11 complaints filed against Modi for poll violations, EC has given a clean chit to the PM in six cases. However, none of the orders has been published on the poll panel’s website, which is normally done in other cases.
“There were 11 cases, six have been disposed off. The Supreme Court had given us time till Monday to reply. The reply has been filed and the next scheduled hearing is on Wednesday. We will not comment on it as the matter is sub judice,” said the Deputy Election Commissioner Saxena.
Congress MP Sushmita Dev had filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking urgent and necessary directions to the Election Commission to take a decision on the complaints filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah over alleged violations of electoral laws during campaigning.
Following this, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Election Commission.
Agencies
