Election Commission drops show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi but mum on PM Modi’s conduct

Gandhinagar: The Election Commission has withdrawn a notice it served to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for an interview that he gave just before the second phase of voting for Gujarat elections. The commission said based on a Congress appeal, it has formed a panel to examine whether changes should be made to the model conduct rules which come into effect before elections.

Incidentally, the Election Commission is still looking into a plethora of complaints against the Prime Minister Modi. The Congress, in fact feels, feels that there has been little momentum on its complaints. The stock reply of the Gujarat Chief Election Officer to all queries is: “We are looking into it.” The CEO’s office could not tell IANS for two days the number of complaints it had got for violation of the model code of conduct. The Congress has made 20 applications.

The key instances of allegations of violation of the code of the conduct were against PM Modi. The first was during a public meeting he addressed in Palitana in Bhavnagar district on November 29 where he has been accused of inciting hatred between the Patidar and Rajput communities over a conflict that occurred more than 30 years ago.

Although Election Commission rules prohibit aggravating existing differences or creating mutual hatred or tension, Gujarat CEO B.B. Swain said: “We are looking into it.” The rules also bar campaigners and candidates from appealing to caste or communal feelings. Mosques, churches, temples and other places of worship cannot be used for election propaganda.

But at an event at the Vadtal Swaminarayan sect temple on November 4, the chief administrator of the shrine, Maharaj Ghanshyam Prasad Das, appealed to the devotees to vote for the BJP – in the presence of Modi and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Asked about this, Swain said: “The Commission is looking into it.”

But the Commission acted swiftly and issued a notice to the Archbishop of Gandhinagar through the District Collector, asking him to explain the intention and aim in writing a letter in which he asked Christians to organize prayer services so that those elected in Gujarat remain faithful to the Indian Constitution.

Chief Minister Rupani announced a ban on controversial film “Padmavati”. Asked if this not a violation of the code of conduct, Swain said: “The Commission is looking into it.” The code of conduct clearly states that once elections are announced, ministers and other authorities shall not lay foundation stones of projects or schemes.

But on the last day of campaign on December 12, Modi flew off in a seaplane from the Sabarmati riverfront to Dharoi Dam reservoir to announce the launch of the seaplane service by the central government. When pointed out that this was a clear violation of the code of conduct, Swain maintained: “The Commission is looking into it.”

In sharp contrast, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was swiftly slapped with a notice for giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels on the eve of polling for the second and last phase on December 14. But on the day of polling, Modi, a voter from Ranip in Ahmedabad, while returning from the voting booth, openly displayed his finger during a veritable roadshow.

The Congress complained to the Election Commission. Swain said yet again: “The Commission is looking into it.” The code of conduct prohibits parties and candidates from canvassing within 100 metres of polling stations. The Congress complained, backed by video evidence, that an outgoing BJP MLA paid money to voters coming out of a polling booth. Swain’s comment: “The Commission is looking into it.”