No model code violation, says EC on PM's Pulwama appeal to first-time voters

NEW DELHI: After giving the Prime Minister a clean chit over his Wardha speech, the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday has found no violation by Modi in his remarks at Latur on April 9, where he asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote in favour of Pulwama martyrs and soldiers behind the Balakot strikes.
"The matter has been examined in detail in accordance with the extant advisories, provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and after examination of complete transcript of speech of 11 pages as per the certified copy sent by the Returning Officer, 40 Osmanabad parliamentary constituency. Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation of the extant advisories/provisions is attracted," the EC said.
The Congress had urged the EC to take urgent action against PM Modi for allegedly violating the model code by raising the matters of Balakot air strike and Pulwama terror attack in his poll campaign.
Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Latur, Modi had said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike."
"I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan. Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)," Modi had said.
Local poll authorities in Maharashtra are learnt to have told the EC here that Modi's remarks are prima facie violative of its orders, asking parties against using the armed forces in their campaigns.
The EC had sought the report in the context of the EC advisory issued in March asking parties to desist from indulging in political propaganda involving actions of the armed forces.
On Tuesday, the EC gave a clean chit to PM Modi for his speech in Wardha in which he had slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad and had "indicated" that the Kerala constituency had more voters from the minority community.
The Congress had earlier this month approached the EC and had sought action against PM Modi's "divisive" speech. The Congress had alleged that Modi had made some "hateful, vile and divisive" remarks against Gandhi.
(With agency inputs)