Ahmedabad, Apr.30: The Gujarat police on Wednesday filed two FIRs against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, for delivering a speech from a poll booth and displaying the BJP poll symbol ‘Lotus’ after he cast his vote.
Another FIR was lodged against TV channels for disseminating his address to the people.
Earlier, the poll body had found Modi to be in violation of the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951.
The EC also stated that it was evident from Modi’s address that he intended to influence and affect the result of elections in the constituencies going to polls today, not only in Ahmedabad but also in all other constituencies in the State of Gujarat and elsewhere in the country.
“The Commission is of the view that by holding that meeting and also by addressing the same today 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 R.P. Act 1951. Therefore, the Commission directs under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other legal provisions enabling it in this behalf that complaints/ FIR as the case may be, should be filed against Sh. Narendra Modi and all others who were involved in the convening and holding of the said meeting, under the provisions of Sections 126 (l) (a) and 126 (1) (b).”
The poll body had reportedly asked the Director-General-of-Police (DGP) of Gujarat and state chief secretary to initiate action against Modi for displaying the Lotus.
The EC has acted after the Congress lodged a complaint with it. The poll body had also sought a report from the district Collector of Ahmedabad on Narendra Modi’s press conference earlier today.
