EC seeks report on Modi's speech on Mamata's paintings

Taking suo motu cognisance, the Election Commission Monday sought a detailed report from the district administration in West Bengal's Hooghly on BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi's speech raising questions about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's painting being sold at an exorbitant price.

"In context of Modi's speech regarding Mamata Banerjee and her painting, we have taken suo motu cognisance and directed the Hooghly district magistrate to file a detailed report along with video of the speech within 24 hours," said Amit Roy Chowdhury, officer on special duty with the chief electoral officer here.

Addressing a party rally in Sreerampur in the district, Modi Sunday had attacked the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress government over the Saradha chit fund scam and questioned who bought one of her paintings for a whopping Rs. 1.80 crore.

While the Trinamool during the day lodged a complaint with the EC contending Modi's speech was a violation of the model code of conduct, Chowdhury clarified that the EC's decision was taken before any political party had filed a complaint.

The Trinamool retaliated strongly to the speech. Besides complaining to the EC, the party sought an unconditional public apology from Modi and threatened to file a defamation suit if he did not do so.