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Narendra Modi today set off a controversy when he openly sought votes for BJP while holding aloft his party's 'Lotus' symbol immediately after casting his ballot, with Congress moving the Election Commission accusing him of model code violation.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the poll body sought a report from the returning officer.
Though it is a normal practice for top leaders to make brief statements to the media after casting their votes, what irked Modi's rivals was a full-fledged press conference that the Gujarat chief Minister held during which he not only fervently asked the electorate to vote for BJP but also launched a tirade against Congress.
The tech-savvy BJP's prime ministerial hopeful was also seen happily clicking selfies while prominently displaying the party symbol.
AICC legal department secretary K C Mittal promptly filed a complaint to the EC, saying Modi's speech and display of symbol was in violation of section 126 of Representation of People Act (RPA) and demanded an FIR be registered against him.
"It is noticed from the live news telecast on various news channels that Modi went to the polling station at Gandhinagar to cast his vote.
"And on his way out he was campaigning for BJP and delivering speech in a fashion to canvas for BJP, himself and also displayed the election symbol to the public while showing his finger for having cast his vote," the party said in the complaint, adding, "he may also be disqualified for such blatant violation."
Ahmedabad Collector, who is the Returning officer for the poll, replied in the affirmative when asked whether the Election Commision had sought a report on Modi's press conference row.
"We have sent a report to he CEO. We have sent a preliminary report. Shall submit video clip," Returning officer of Ahmedabad Roopwant Singh said.
As per the Election Commission norms, a candidate is liable to be booked for model code violation if he canvasses within a radius of 100 metres of a polling booth.
