Election Commission of India, in what may seem like the harshest decision taken since the process for the 16th Lok Sabha election commenced on March 5, has ordered Gujarat police to file an FIR over the matter.
It was a moment of proud to see BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi be a sport and post his selfie on twitter after voting.
The so called youth leaderdo not even dare to step in social media platform while Modi uses the platform effectively to connect with youth.
Later he addressed a few media persons present there and left for his rallies scheduled in other states.
Selfie is in! Share yours using #SelfieWithModi & see what happens https://t.co/2s2BZ7GvuC pic.twitter.com/oDrCZztzo0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2014
But the Election Commission of India, in what may seem like the harshest decision taken since the process for the 16th Lok Sabha election commenced on March 5, has ordered Gujarat police to file an FIR over the matter. All because Modi showed the party symbol in his selfie with the inked finger.
According to The Hindu, the directive followed complaints by political parties and other groups on the alleged blatant violation of several sections of the Representation of People’s Act (RPA), 1951.
The Commission also directed that all the TV channels and other electronic media which carried the proceedings/images of the said meeting and display of election matter (as defined in section 126(3) of R.P. Act, 1951) on their channels should also be proceeded against under Section 126 (l) (b) by filing separate complaints/FlRs against those channels.
It has sought compliance reports on its orders latest by 6 pm along with copies of complaints/FlRs.
The Commission said after looking at the video graphic evidence of Modi’s meeting in Ahmedabad prima facie it is convinced that he has gone against the provisions of the R.P.A.
“From the substance, tone and tenor of the address made by Sh. Modi and the statements made by him and the manner in which the symbol of Lotus of the BJP was being displayed by him at the said meet, thereby displaying to the public election matter by means of television in polling areas going to polls today it is evident that the said address was in the nature of political speech intended and calculated to influence and affect the result of elections in the constituencies going to polls today, not only in Ahmadabad but also in all other constituencies in the State of Gujarat and elsewhere in the country”.
It is of the view that by holding that meeting and also by addressing the same today when the polling is going on in the entire State of Gujarat and in different parts of the country, Mr. Modi has violated the provisions of Sections 126 (1) (a) and 126 (l) (b) of R.P. Act 1951. “Therefore, the Commission directs under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other legal provisions enabling it in this behalf that complaints/ FIR as the case may be, should be filed against Sh. Narendra Modi and all Others who were involved in the convening and holding of the said meeting, under the provisions of Sections 126 (l) (a) and 126 (1) (b).
People, meanwhile, showed their distaste with the decision of EC on social media. They even circulated picture of AAP candidate Meera Sanyal who had posted a similar selfie on twitter with AAP symbol broom tucked in the topi.
#SelfieWithModi Election Commission has always been pro Congress. Remember Navin Chawla who was openly a #Sonia Gandhi stooge?Or JM Lingdoh?
— Francois Gautier (@fgautier26) April 30, 2014
.AAP takes objctn to Namo showing lotus http://t.co/X5PLc2TJks … n here is @meerasanyal ‘s jhaadu pic.twitter.com/0e4bBRDyw3 cc @mediacrooks
— radha raju (@radharaju18) April 30, 2014
The law is always different for Modi –> pic.twitter.com/vEjc23MSqf
— Pawan Durani (@PawanDurani) April 30, 2014
Modi talks to media after voting… And Congis & their little puppies run to EC… The EC has truly become an Agony Aunt ..@Timesnow @ndtv
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) April 30, 2014
Serious doubts on the working of EC were posed by some concerned citizens after the EC did not take any action against few of Congress and AAP leader who had violated Model Code of Conduct blatantly while it had given severe punishment to BJP members over petty issues.
They have also raised concerns about EC taking note of Modi filing nomination on an election day while there was no word from it while Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi did the same.
Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Collector and Returning Officer Roopwant Singh has filed a preliminary report on the public meeting and selfie issue with the CEO and a video clip is also to be submitted. If held guilty, Modi may face a jail term of two years for the act.
In its first reaction to the Election Commission notice on its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the BJP has said that he did not violate the model code of conduct. Party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi speaking to media said, “We respect EC, whatever EC’s verdict will be, we will abide by it. According to us Mr. Modi did not violate any code of conduct”.
The #SelfieWithModi is an artistic step where the selfie of a voter with inked finger will be placed to form a larger mosaic of Modi.
Oh Wow! Mosaic of your #SelfieWithModi check this out: https://t.co/kMyLbSljtw pic.twitter.com/7FLuQXGlbB
— India Policy (@India_Policy) April 30, 2014
People showed admiration towards Modi for such an innovative step.
#SelfieWithModi is happening.! Seriously,this man NaMo had a plan properly thought through for each phase of Election.Imagine once he is PM
— Ash Dubey_#Chai (@ash_dubey) April 30, 2014
Now all eyes are on EC.