SC notice to EC on Congress' poll code complaints against PM

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Election Commission on the Congress' plea seeking direction to the poll panel to take action on complaints of alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.

Taking up the petition filed by Congress MP Sushmita Dev, the apex court said it was open to the poll panel passing necessary orders in the matter as it listed the matter for further hearing on Thursday.

The apex court heard the matter on a day when the Election Commission was slated to take a decision on complaints of alleged alleged poll code breaches by PM Modi, Shah as well as Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

"Regarding the alleged complaints of violation of model code of conduct against senior leaders of two political parties, the Commission has already taken all the inputs and details and has scheduled a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) morning for taking a decision on each of the issues," Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar had told the media on Monday.

"At present there are three leaders against which alleged complaints are there -- Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Amit Shah. The matters are under consideration with the Commission," he added.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena noted there was a need to take a comprehensive view of all the complaints, adding that each alleged violation would have to be taken up separately and a decision would be taken accordingly.

There are several complaints of alleged violations against the three leaders. While Modi and Shah have been accused of making "hate speeches" and "using" armed forces for "political propaganda" during their campaigning, there are also complaints against Gandhi's use of "chowkidar chor hai" slogan.

--IANS

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