AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI, April 30 � Stoking a huge controversy, Narendra Modi today displayed the BJP symbol and made a speech at a polling booth in violation of electoral laws, following which the police filed an FIR against him, reports PTI.
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 at a polling booth on the day of election, and ordered filing of an FIR against Modi.
Promptly, the crime branch police in Ahmedabad filed an FIR against Modi for displaying the BJP�s election symbol �Lotus� and making a speech after casting his vote in Gandhinagar.
�Two FIRs have been registered by the city crime branch in connection with the events,� Gujarat DGP PC Thakur told PTI. One of the FIRs is against television channels which broadcast the press conference.
Sources in the crime branch said that as per the EC directive, FIRs have been registered invoking provisions under the Representation of the People Act, which provides for imprisonment up to two years.
Modi, a voter at a booth in Ranip in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, cast his vote and then addressed a press conference outside the booth, attacking the Congress, but repeatedly displayed the �Lotus� by holding it high in his hand, which is a clear violation of the law.
This angered the Congress, which immediately complained to the Election Commission seeking action against Modi, including his disqualification.
The other parties also attacked Modi with the AAP calling him a �habitual offender�.
The Commission got into action and directed the authorities in Gujarat to file an FIR against the Chief Minister.
�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 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 EC order said in Delhi.
The Commission asked the Gujarat Chief Secretary and DGP to send a compliance report by 6 PM today.
While the rivals attacked Modi, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said in Delhi that he 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.�
