Narendra Modi (C) waves to supporters during a roadshow in Varanasi
Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken led a delegation today that complained to the Election Commission against
Narendra Modi's grand road show in Varanasi, which coincided with polling in other parts of the country in the sixth phase of the national election. (
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The Congress has demanded that a First Information Report or FIR be registered against all those who took part in the roadshow. "We don't want notices but an FIR including against their prime ministerial contender,"said union minister Anand Sharma of the Congress.
The Congress contends that the road show was illegal as its visuals were aired on TV channels even as parts of the country voted. It alleged that coverage of the roadshow violated section 126 of the Representation of People's Act that says nothing should be said or shown to influence the voting behaviour of people.
Mr Sharma said the commission should have ensured that the
BJP leader's roadshow was not broadcast in areas that voted today.
"117 seats are going to polls but the sanctity of these polls have been violated," Mr Sharma said, adding, "Why was the Election Commission not alert to this and why didn't it instruct the media?"
Mr Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, filed his nomination in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in spectacular show of strength. He traveled in an open truck for three hours to cover a two-km route lined by a massive crowd of supporters. He made multiple stops to garland statues of leaders. Several top BJP leaders were with him. (
Varanasi at his side, Modi delivers biggest roadshow in the world's largest elections)
When it was pointed out that the Congress' Rahul Gandhi had filed his nomination in Amethi, also in UP, in a road show on April 12, when the third phase of polling was being held, Anand Sharma said, "the same yardstick must apply for all." (
Rahul Gandhi, flanked by entire family, files nomination from Amethi)
Mr Maken defended Mr Gandhi's roadshow saying that while he did not use any religious symbols, Mr Modi's show used "religious symbols and overtones."