Three days after it sought a report from the Faizabad Returning Officer on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate >Narendra Modi invoking the name of Lord Ra m from a dais decorated with a holy picture, there is no word yet from the Election Commission on what it intends to do with the complaints of violation of model code on the subject.
“We cannot act in haste without hearing all sides”, said an official.
However, even in cases where the complaints were made over a week ago, there is little progress.
On April 30, the day of the seventh phase of voting, the commission ordered filing of an FIR against Mr. Modi, but it has not moved beyond that. There have been reports in a section of the media suggesting that the police have made a determination that Mr. Modi addressed the gathering in Ahmedabad well outside the polling booth and it does not amount to violation of electoral laws.
Once again the Defence Ministry had written to the EC about 10 days ago seeking its counsel on whether or not the government could go ahead with the process on appointment of new Army chief. The poll panel is yet to decide on it.
On Wednesday Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told reporters that the issue of the appointment of the next Army chief was still under examination of the commission and it is yet to take a final call on it.
Asked whether the EC had decided on the issue, he said the decision had not been taken as yet.
“There have been some reports (that EC has decided). But it is incorrect,” he said.
Even in cases where it cracked the whip, the Commission actions were perceived to be relatively soft. After it was proved that a senior Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and Modi’s confidant Amit Shah had made highly provocative speeches the Commission put a ban on their meetings. However, it lifted the ban on Mr. Shah once he promised to behave in future. In case of Mr. Khan the curbs continue as he has refused to apologise. Another Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma has repeatedly been charged of making hate speeches but till date no concrete has been taken.
