The Election Commission on Tuesday ruled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Wardha in Maharashtra on April 1 did not violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the Representation of the People Act provisions.
The decision came after Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and two Election Commissioners thoroughly examined a detailed report received from the State Chief Electoral Officer on the impugned comments.
“The matter has been examined in detail in accordance with the extant guidelines/provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra. Accordingly, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed,” said a senior EC official.
Cong. lodged plea
The Congress had earlier lodged a complaint with the EC alleging that the “hateful, vile and divisive” comments were directed at party president Rahul Gandhi. A delegation of Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Randeep Surjewala had submitted the memorandum, seeking the Commission’s intervention.
Mr. Modi had said “it is evident from the fact that one has to contest a seat where the minority is majority” — alluding to the decision of Mr. Gandhi (who was not named) to contest from Wayanad in Kerala, apart from Amethi. Taking cognisance, the EC sought a report from the State CEO.
According to poll panel officials, an authenticated transcript of the entire speech was submitted to the Commission on April 14 and the impugned comments were examined.
The Commission’s orders on allegations against some other speeches of Mr. Modi are awaited.
