File FIR against Ajay Rai: EC to Varanasi authorities

The Election Commission Monday asked authorities in Varanasi to file an FIR against Congress candidate Ajay Rai for displaying the party symbol at a polling booth there.

Rai, the Congress candidate from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, walked into a polling station with the party symbol 'hand' pinned to his kurta.

Election law bans the use of any party symbol within 100 metres of a polling station.

The commission directed the Varanasi returning officer to file an FIR under sections 123 and 130 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 against Rai for displaying the party symbol and "conversation with media in the nature of canvassing at polling booth in Varanasi", the Election Commission directive said.

Dressed in a cream coloured kurta pyjama, Rai walked into the polling station early in the day to cast his vote.

He was accompanied by his wife and he spoke to reporters within 10 metres of the polling station, which again was a breach of law.

Recently, an FIR was lodged against Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi when he addressed a press meet outside a polling station in Gujarat and clicked a selfie with the party symbol 'lotus' in his hand.

The district administration had then clarified that Modi was well outside the 100 metres banned distance when the press conference took place.