New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday demanded the Election Commission file an FIR against Narendra Modi and the BJP for “violating” the poll code by telecast and publicity of his road show ahead of filing nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi.
Demanding that the Bharatiya Janata Party be de-recognised as a political party, the Congress alleged that the poll panel’s “inaction” on its earlier complaint had provided the BJP with an opportunity “to flout the law”.
Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said a first information report (FIR) should be lodged against Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and the TV channels for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
“Sanctity of law and the electoral process has been violated. Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act says that no kind of publicity or demonstration can take place on a polling day,” Sharma said.
He claimed the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and workers violated the Model Code of Conduct by participating in a road show on the day polling was being held in 117 Lok Sabha constituencies in the country.
Sharma added the electronic media was equally at fault for telecasting the road show held before the filing of nomination papers.
“The Model Code of Conduct has been thrown to the winds. Why was the media not told it could not telecast such events live on a polling day?” Sharma said.
The BJP dismissed the Congress contentions, and said the party was out of its mind. (IANS)