The press conference addressed by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on April 30 was beyond the stipulated 100-metre distance from the polling station, the police said here on Saturday.
Following the registration of an FIR against Mr. Modi on Wednesday for violating the model code of conduct by displaying the party’s lotus symbol and addressing a public meeting, the police, as part of their investigation, have measured the distance between the polling station and the location where Mr. Modi addressed the media.
The site was outside the area demarcated by the election machinery, the police said.
However, the police also said that distance was not a point of consideration in the probe as that aspect falls under Section 130 of the Representation of the People Act, which was not cited by the Election Commission in its directive to the State police.
The police are trying to ascertain whether the press briefing could be construed as a “public meeting” and whether Mr. Modi himself held or convened it.
Statements of some government officials and polling staff have been recorded so far, while those of mediapersons would be recorded soon.
