Following an Election Commission directive, the Ahmedabad Police Crime Branch on Wednesday registered an FIR against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct after casting his vote in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. The police also registered an FIR against some TV channels for airing Modi’s speech.
At around 9 am, Modi, the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, cast his vote at a booth in the Ranip area of Ahmedabad, which is under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, from where party veteran LK Advani is contesting.
Mediapersons were directed to gather at a spot outside the polling booth for Modi’s “briefing”, where the Gujarat Chief Minister addressed the media and displayed a cut-out of the BJP’s poll symbol, the lotus.
Taking exception to this, the Congress complained to the Election Commission demanding strict action against Modi and his disqualification from both the Vadodara and Varanasi seats, where he is contesting.
The poll panel directed Gujarat Chief Secretary Varesh Sinha and Director-General of Police PC Thakur to take action against Modi under Section 126(1)(a) and Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951. Following this, the DGP directed the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner to register an FIR.
The Commission also directed the State Government to send a compliance report by 6 pm on Wednesday.
The police also registered cases against TV channels and electronic media that displayed the Lotus symbol and televised the meeting.
Section 126(1)(B) prohibits public meetings for 48 hours, up to the hour of completion of a poll. It also bans any display to the public of any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus.
Any person violating these provisions shall be punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, fine or both.
Earlier, the Election Commission said the tone and tenor of the address by Modi and the statements made by him and the manner in which he displayed the party’s symbol were in the nature of a political speech, meant to influence voting in the constituencies going to polls today.
BJP reactionThe BJP came out strongly in defence of Modi, claiming he had not violated electoral laws as he was beyond the prohibited 100 metres of the polling booth when he spoke to the media. It said the FIR against him will have to abide by the process of law.
The party also asked whether the rights of the media, which is free under the Constitution, can be curtailed within the ambit of the Model Code of Conduct, saying it “is a larger question of Constitutional significance”.