EC Withdraws Notice Issued to Rahul Gandhi Over TV Interview

Congress asked EC whether it was a “ploy” to prevent the telecast or a justification for no action against PM.

After the Election Commission of India withdrew notice given to Rahul Gandhi for violating the 48-hour ban on campaigning during Gujarat polls, Congress questioned it asking whether it was a mere "ploy" to prevent their telecast or a justification for not taking any action against the prime minister.

The reaction came just after the poll panel withdrew the show cause notice to Gandhi for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct, saying the provision under which it was issued is now under review.

If Election Commission has withdrawn its notice issued to Sh. Rahul Gandhi, two bonafide questions must be asked-:
1. Was it a mere ploy to prevent TV channels from showing his interview? and
2. Is it a justification for no action or registration of an FIR against PM & Ministers?

— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 17, 2017

The commission had on 13 December issued the show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for "prima facie" violating the provisions of the election law and the model code by giving interviews to TV channels in Gujarat.

The Congress had then made a representation before the commission demanding similar action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for holding an alleged roadshow on the day of polling, after casting his vote in Gujarat. The party had said said the "roadshow" was a violation of the model code.

In a letter addressed to The General Secretary, Indian National Congress, the Election Commission said:

The Commission is of the considered view that due to multifold expansion of digital and electronic media, the extant Model Code of Conduct, Section 126 of the RP Act, 1951 and other related provisions require revisiting to cater to the requirement and challenges of the present and emerging situations.

The letter also read that a committee is being set up for which detailed orders, including Terms of Reference, shall be issued separately to deliberate on these matters. Finally, the EC advised INC to not "make mention of any election matter pertaining to the area going for poll during the prohibited period of 48 hours, henceforth."

The Congress had alleged on Wednesday, 13 December, that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was threatening journalists in Gujarat for airing Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi’s interview, and urged the Election Commission (EC) to take notice of it.

The Congress leader also pointed out the BJP releasing its manifesto a day ahead of the first phase of polling in the state on 9 December.

(With inputs from ANI)

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