EC has become Modi's 'captive puppet': Congress

The Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of becoming a "captive puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was brazenly breaking rules in a final bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

Charging the poll panel with not acting on Congress complaints against the BJP and Modi, the party said the poll panel was turning a blind eye to democratic and constitutional norms being violated by the ruling party openly.

The Congress denounced Modi's "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad on Thursday. This, it said, was a flagrant violation of the model code of conduct.

"It was an election campaign. Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. The Election Commission, it seems, is working under pressure from the Prime Minister and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.

"If any shame is left in the Election Commission, it should act on the Congress complaints," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.

"It seems the Election Commission is blind. They cannot see Modi openly and brazenly violating the model code of conduct.

"This shows how unfortunately the Election Commission has become a captive puppet of the BJP," Surjewala said.

"The Election Commission has different standards for the BJP and the Congress. What is the reason for the Election Commission to behave like a front organisation of the BJP?"

"When Rahul Gandhi gave interview to news channels, a notice was sent to him. But when Arun Jaitely released BJP's manifesto on December 8, it was not a violation. When Modi appealed to people on December 9 to vote... it was not a violation. No notices were sent to them. The Election Commission remained silent then," he said.

"Amit Shah using the Ahmedabad Airport to hold a press conference was not a violation? Arun Jaitley holding a press conference in Ahmedabad and one union minister (Piyush Goyal) holding a press conference in Delhi twice was not a violation?"

He alleged that Amit Shah was aware a case was being filed by the poll panel against the news channels for airing Gandhi's interview much before it was announced.

"The EC was receiving orders from the PMO. Several ministers were calling the journalists and threatening them."

Surjewala said when the Congress asked the poll panel about its complaints, it was told they would be looked into after 5 p.m. -- when the second and final phase of Gujarat election would end.

"The Chief Election Commissioner (A.K. Joti), who was Chief Secretary to Modi (when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat), is still acting as the Chief Secretary to Modiji. This is shameful for the Election Commission."

The Congress said the way the BJP was behaving showed Modi had conceded defeat in Gujarat.

Replying to questions, Surjewala said either the Commission was blindfolded or sleeping.

He said on Wednesday, the Congress sought an appointment with the Election Commission around 4.30 p.m. and was told the meeting would take place on Thursday morning.

"It was only after we threatened to stage a 'dharna' we were given an appointment at 10.15 at night," he said.

"We are trying to wake up the Election Commission. We appeal to the Election Commission not to turn blind and deaf."

--IANS

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