NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday slammed the Election Commission, urging media to stand up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'unprecedented violation of the code of conduct'.
He took to Twitter saying, "Stand up Media to this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct. Condemn the EC for allowing this gross abuse."
Stand up Media to this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct. Condemn the EC for allowing this gross abuse.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017
Earlier in the day, Modi cast his vote in Gujarat for assembly elections in his home state. He reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge applause from a flood of people standing in line waiting for Modi to arrive.
Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Chidambaram said, "Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day."
Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017
As soon as he reached the booth, he touched his elder brother's feet and stood in the queue waiting for his turn to cast the vote. After he came out, he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike. His voting looked nothing less than a mini-roadshow with people cheering and applauding the Prime Minister.
Witnessing the pomp and show, the Congress has knocked the door of the Election Commission calling it a violation of the model of conduct. The Congress has accused Modi of holding a roadshow to influence the voters in the state.
"The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full-fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job," the former Finance Minister said.
The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017
"Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?" Chidambaram added.
Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017
However, the BJP is claiming that it was not an organised event but people had gathered there due to the curiosity that people had in Modi.
Modi giving vote in Gujarat brings back memories of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he took a selfie with the BJP symbol after casting his vote and even gave a speech at the poll booth. Taking cognisance of the matter, the Election Commission had then filed an FIR against Modi.
