2 FIRs filed against Modi for selfie with party symbol, speech

Mangalore Today News Network

Ahmedabad, April 01, 2014: Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is in trouble after two FIRs were registered against him in Ahmedabad on Wednesday for violating the model code of conduct.

Modi triggered a controversy when he openly sought votes for BJP while holding aloft his party’s ’Lotus’ symbol immediately after casting his ballot.

The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate not only waved the lotus but also clicked a selfie prominently displaying the party symbol and posted it on Twitter.

The tech-savvy BJP’s prime ministerial hopeful was also seen happily clicking selfies while prominently displaying the party symbol.

"Two FIRs have been registered by the city crime branch in connection with the events," Gujarat DGP P C Thakur. One of the FIRs is against television channels which broadcast the press conference.

Sources in the crime branch said that as per EC directive FIRs have been registered invoking provisions under the Representation of the People Act, which provides for imprisonment upto two years.

The police action came after the Election Commission took serious note of the BJP prime ministerial candidate’s violation of the electoral laws, under which no person can display any election matter or address a meeting in a polling booth on the day of election, and ordered filing of FIR against Modi.

The Commission got into action and issued directed authorities in Gujarat to file FIR against the Chief Minister.
"The Commission is of the view that by holding that meeting and also by addressing the same on Wednesday when the polling is going on in the entire state of Gujarat and in different parts of the country, Narendra Modi has violated the provisions of Sections 126 (1)(a) and 126 (l)(b) of Representation of People Act, 1951.

"Therefore, the Commission directs...that complaint/ FIR as the case may be, should be filed against Narendra Modi and all others who were involved in the convening and holding of the said meeting...," the Election Commission order said in Delhi.

In its order, the EC also said that all the TV channels and other electronic media which carried the proceedings of the meeting and displayed the election matter should also be proceeded against under Section 126 (l) (b) "by filing separate complaints/FlRs against those channels."

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party quickly moved the Election Commission accusing him of blatant violation of model code of conduct.

In Delhi, responding to questions, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi asserted that Modi has "not violated the election code. It was not an organised press conference".

She, however, went on to add, "the Election Commission is a Constitutional institution and we respect it. We will abide by its decision."

AICC legal department secretary K C Mittal promptly filed a complaint to the EC, saying Modi’s speech and display of symbol was in violation of section 126 of RP Act (RPA) and demanded an FIR be registered against him.

"It is noticed from the live news telecast on various news channels that Modi went to the polling station at Gandhinagar to cast his vote.

"And on his way out he was campaigning for BJP and delivering speech in a fashion to canvas for BJP, himself and also displayed the election symbol to the public while showing his finger for having cast his vote," the party said in the complaint, adding, "he may also be disqualified for such blatant violation."

The EC took the decision after going through the video recording of Modi’s address after he cast his vote on Wednesday.