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Modi Stands In Queue To Cast Vote; Election Commission Orders Inquiry On Congress’ Complaint

Congress took objection to PM Modi’s greeting the crowd outside the polling booth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his finger marked with indelible ink, as he leaves after casting his vote during the second phase of state Assembly elections, at Ranip in Ahmedabad. (Image: PTI) 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his finger marked with indelible ink, as he leaves after casting his vote during the second phase of state Assembly elections, at Ranip in Ahmedabad. (Image: PTI) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stood in a queue at a polling station in Ranip area in Ahmedabad to cast his vote, but opposition Congress took objection to his greeting the crowd outside the booth later prompting the Gujarat election authorities to order an inquiry.

Modi, after arriving at the polling booth set up in Nishan High School of Ranip area, which is part of Sabarmati constituency, bowed to greet his elder brother Somabhai Modi who was present there. Somabhai Modi lives in the same locality.

Then the prime minister stood in the queue to cast his vote. He was seen talking to other voters while awaiting his turn. After casting the vote, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside and were chanting “Modi...Modi”.

The Prime Minister walked some distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road. Then he stood on the footboard of his car and waved to the crowd.

In the morning, Modi commissioned Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy in Mumbai, from where he flew to Gujarat.

The state Congress took exception to his greeting the crowd outside the polling booth. Nikunj Balar, the convener of the Congress' legal cell, said the party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission and the chief electoral officer of Gujarat against Modi's "roadshow".

A separate complaint was also submitted to the Ranip Police, he said.

In response to the Congress's complaint, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat B B Swain said an inquiry has been ordered to probe whether there was any violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The complaint was more "anticipatory in nature", he said.

We have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of vote (by Modi). It was more anticipatory in nature. It said there was a huge crowd (outside the polling booth) and it could turn into a roadshow.
BB Swain, Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat

"We have handed over the inquiry to the Ahmedabad district election officer (the district collector). Since our MCC team was also present at the booth, it will also give its report. They (the collector and MCC team) are now finalising their overall inquiry report," Swain said.

In Delhi, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said the commissioning of a submarine by the prime minister today did not fall under the ambit of the model code which is in force due to the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections.

The poll body also did not comment on the allegations made by the Congress, which accused the EC of acting like a "captive puppet" of the BJP and not taking action against the prime minister for the "roadshow".

The Congress had also alleged that the EC did not give the party time to lodge a formal complaint with the EC in the national capital. Responding to this charge, Sinha said the Congress had sought time and it was given to the party, but the delegation did not turn up.

He said that a BJP delegation had visited the commission to make a representation against the allegations made by the Congress. The commission was examining all the complaints it has received, he added.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat assembly elections was held today in 93 seats of north and central Gujarat.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The votes will be counted on Dec. 18.