EC gives clean chit to Modi over remarks on Rajiv Gandhi, but says ‘matter under consideration’
New Delhi, : Amid criticism over Election Commission’s ‘clean chit’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi as ‘Bhrashtachari number 1’, the poll body on Wednesday said that ‘the matter is under consideration of the Commission’.
“In the matter concerning a complaint filed by Indian National Congress on May 6 on alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at Pratapgarh (UP), Commission has sought detailed report with transcript of speech from the CEO UP on May 6. The report of CEO UP has now been received and the matter is under consideration of the Commission”, said an official spokesperson of the poll body.
The reports came after a day, the Congress had approached the Commission demanding action against Mr Modi over the remarks, for which the poll body had cleared the Prime Minister citing that his speech did not violate MCC.
Sources said that the poll body disposed the complaint saying it did not find violation of MCC in Prime Minister’s speech at an election rally at Pratapgarh.
While addressing a poll rally in Pratapgarh on Saturday, Mr Modi had said, the life of Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s father Rajiv Gandhi ended as ‘Bhrashtachari number 1.’
“Your father was called ‘Mr Clean’ by his coterie, but his life ended as ‘Bhrashtachari number 1,’ Modi had said.
The Congress on Monday had demanded that the Commission impose an immediate ban on Modi from campaigning, as his statement was ‘uncultured, illegal and against Indian tradition and in direct contrast to the facts’.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also had criticised Mr Modi.
In a tweet, Mr Gandhi said, “Modi ji, the battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won’t protect you. All my love and a huge hug”.
Ms Vadra said that PM Modi had “insulted the martyrdom of a righteous and holy man in his unbridled craze”.
“The reply will be given by the people of Amethi for whom Rajiv Gandhi gave his life. Yes Modi ji, this nation never forgives treachery,” she tweeted.
Earlier, the poll body had given clean chits to Mr Modi for his alleged violation of MCC in different speeches in elections rallies, after Congress had filed complained against him.
(UNI)