Ahmedabad:Â A police case has been filed against Narendra Modi, the chief minister, and television channels who covered him as he emerged after voting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The action was ordered by the powerful Election Commission which said that by brandishing his party’s lotus symbol and addressing a cheering crowd, Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, had broken the law by campaigning in a polling area. Modi also tweeted a selfie of his ink-stained finger.
“I can say that this time nothing can save the mother-son government…a strong government will come to power,” Modi had said, promising the defeat of the incumbent Congress which is led by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
“It is evident from Modi’s tone and tenor that he made a political speech. He intended, calculated to influence voting today,” the Election Commission said. Â
“It was not an organised press conference,” said BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi. “We respect the Election Commission but Modi did not violate the code of conduct,” she added.
Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed accused Modi of being “a serial offender.”
Earlier, Congress complained to the Election commission that Narendra Modi was holding the BJP’s lotus party symbol in his hands while voting was underway on Wednesday.Â
Aam Aadmi Party, too, objected to the use of the lotus by Modi on the polling day and asked the Election Commission to step in. AAP leader Ashutosh tweeted, “Good morning. How come Modi be allowed to hold a press conference with party symbol on voting day. Violation of EC guideline. Will EC react?”