The Election Commission on Tuesday said the speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which according to the Opposition parties violated the model code of conduct (MCC), were still being examined. Asked about the status of complaints pertaining to Mr. Modi’s speeches on April 1 and April 9 in Maharashtra, where he was alleged to have made references to the defence forces when making an appeal for votes, EC officials told the media that it had taken some time in getting the authorised translated transcripts of the statements.
The Commission received the transcripts between April 14 and 16, following which they were being examined legally, in the overall context in which the impugned comments were made, said an official. The Congress has so far submitted seven complaints against Mr. Modi seeking action against him for the alleged violations.
Late on Monday night, it had also written to the poll panel apprehending that Mr. Modi, after casting his vote in Ahmedabad, would take out a procession.
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s supporters followed his vehicle for a long stretch after he came out of the polling station. However, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), after examining the complaint, ruled that it was not an MCC violation.
As regards a complaint against BJP chief Amit Shah’s remarks about “Mr. Modi’s Air Force” at a public rally in West Bengal’s Krishnanagar on Monday, the Commission said it had sought a report from the State CEO.
The EC said it was also examining a speech by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, which according to the BJP was a violation of the poll rules.
