EC sends showcause notice to Rahul over TV interview

NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: The Election Commission on Wednesday sought an explanation from Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for appearing in a television interview after the BJP alleged that he had violated the model code of conduct ahead of the second phase of voting in Gujarat.

The poll panel also ordered registration of cases against channels for violating model code of conduct that prohibits display of any “election matter” within 48 hours of the start of polling, the commission said in a statement.

The Congress, however, accused the EC of favouritism and questioned why it has not taken similar action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who allegedly made political statements at a business meet on Wednesday when he targeted the previous UPA government.

The party alleged that Modi also addressed four public rallies on December 9, the polling day for the first phase of elections in Gujarat. A Congress delegation met EC officials in Delhi opposing the show-cause to Gandhi and the bar on airing the interview.

“For the record, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gave an interview to a channel a day prior to voting. If that was not violation of model code of conduct, how could Rahul Gandhi’s interview be?” party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

The fresh war of words marked the end of campaigning in Gujarat -- Modi and BJP president Amit Shah’s home state – where the BJP and the Congress are locked in a bitter electoral battle for control of the 182-member assembly. People in 93 assembly seats will cast their votes in the second phase of polling on Thursday. The results will be announced on December 18.

In its notice, the commission asked Gandhi to reply by 5 pm on December 18. The poll body in its 2-page order also said it will decide the matter if he fails to respond to the notice.

“The commission, after due deliberations, has therefore directed the chief electoral officer of Gujarat to initiate necessary action by lodging FIRS against those who have violated the above mentioned provision,” the EC said.

BJP ALLEGED THAT RAHUL VIOLATED THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT AHEAD OF THE SECOND PHASE OF VOTING IN GUJARAT