BJP Complaint To EC Over Rahul An Act Of Desperation: Chidambaram
TV channels aired interview of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi, one day prior to the final phase of elections.
The Election Commission on Wednesday, 13 December, issued notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi, over his interviews to television networks one day prior to the final phase of voting in Gujarat.
The EC directed Gujarat’s Chief Election Officer BB Swain to file an FIR against channels in the state that telecast Rahul Gandhi’s interview. Gandhi, on the other hand, has been asked to explain his actions before 18 December.
Polling for Gujarat’s final phase is currently underway and the results will be declared on 18 December.
- TV networks on 13 December aired interviews of Rahul Gandhi, sparking row about violation of Model Code of Conduct
- EC directed Gujarat CEO to file FIR against TV channels that aired the interview
- The EC also issued notice to Gandhi, asking for explanation before 18 December
- Congress demanded that FIR be filed against PM Modi, other BJP leaders
BJP Petitioning EC Is an Act of Desperation: Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram lashed out at the BJP “petitioning” the Election Commisson over Rahul Gandhi’s interview. He called the BJP’s move an “act of desperation”.
BJP Files Complaint Against Bharatsinh Solanki
The BJP alleged that Gujarat Congress leader Bharatsinh Solanki appeared on television channel on 13 December, and said that the voters responded “well” to the party in the first phase. This was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, alleged the party.
Shri Bharatsinh Solanki appeared in TV Channel on Wednesday, and said that voters have responded to us in phase one, and we hope they will also respond in phase two polling, and thereby appealed to the people to vote for INC. This is a total violation of the Conduct of Election Rules and Section 126 of the RP Act 1951, and an offence whatsoever as contemplated under the provisions of section 126 of the Representations of Peoples Act 1951 can said to have been committed.BJP’s Statement
"File FIR Against PM Modi, Other BJP Leaders": Surjewala
A Congress delegation reached the Election Commission office in Delhi late on Wednesday night and told media that “PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal have violated the Model Code of Conduct over and over again.”
They also alleged that the PM has misused the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) platform to attack the Congress, and that the EC should stay “unbiased”.
The Congress also submitted a memorandum to the EC demanding registration of FIRs against BJP leaders for “violating” the Model Code of Conduct.
In 2014 elections, PM Modi even showed the BJP symbol on voting day, but the EC did not act. The BJP held a press conference just before the first phase of Gujarat elections. These double standards won’t work, and first an FIR should be filed against Modi and other BJP leaders instead of the press.Randeep Surjewala, Congress Spokesperson
Randeep Surjewala said the EC acted against news channels for airing the interview of Rahul Gandhi which was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
Here is the Congress memorandum:
EC Issues Notice to Rahul Gandhi
The Election Commission on 13 December issued notice to Rahul Gandhi for interviews given by him and aired by TV networks, one day prior to the final phase of polling in the Gujarat elections.
Explain why action should not be taken against you for violating provisions of Model Code of Conduct, failing which Commission will decide on the matter without any further reference to you.Election Commission to Rahul Gandhi
EC Directs Gujarat Election Chief to File FIR Against TV Networks
The Election Commission on Wednesday, 13 December, directed the Gujarat Chief Election Officer BB Swain to file an FIR against channels in Gujarat that telecast Rahul Gandhi’s interview, one day prior to the final phase of polling in the state.
"We Will Examine Interview DVDs for Violation": Swain
Gujarat Chief Election Officer BB Swain said that they have collected the DVDs of Rahul Gandhi’s interviews to TV channels, and that they will be examining them for violation.
We have collected the DVDs and will be doing due examination to check whether it has violated Rules 126 RP Act or not.BB Swain
"EC Will Take Cognisance of Interviews": Piyush Goyal
Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for giving an interview just a day ahead of the second phase of polling, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Election Commission would take cognisance of it.
It was not permitted to give an interview in the last 48 hours of campaigning in Gujarat. I am sure the Election Commission will take cognisance of this and take action.Piyush Goyal