The Election Commission on Wednesday, 13 December, directed the Gujarat Chief Election Officer BB Swain to file an FIR against channels in Gujarat that telecast Rahul Gandhi’s interview, one day prior to the final phase of polling in the state. Union Minister Piyush Goyal accused the Congress of violating the Model Code of Conduct saying ,“The Congress are afraid that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win 150 seats which is why are violating the Code of Conduct”.
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that some journalists were receiving threats from high-level state BJP functionaries who were telling media persons that they would be jailed for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
Gujarat’s Chief Minister and his office are threatening to report TV channels to the Election Commission. They want to send journalists behind bars for carrying interviews of Rahul Gandhi.Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress Spokesperson
The senior Congress leader appealed to the Election Commission for not notifying the BJP when PM Narendra Modi rallied on 9 December and when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gave a presser on 8 December.
Also Read: EC Issues Notice to Rahul Gandhi Over Interview to TV Channels
During the first phase of Gujarat elections on 9 December, PM Modi’s rally was relayed live on television channels. He addressed four rallies in Gujarat that day. Was he also violating the Code of conduct? Did Arun Jaitley and other BJP leaders violate the COC by addressing a presser on 8 December in Gujarat?Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress Spokesperson
A delegation of Congress leaders knocked the Election Commission’s door demanding an FIR to be filed against PM Modi for delivering a political speech at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) meet.
PM Modi misused FICCI’s AGN Meet to advance his political interests. An FIR should be registered against PM Modi, Finance minister Arun Jaitley & other BJP leaders.Anand Sharma, Leader, Congress
The second phase polling in the state is scheduled for 14 December, and the results of the assembly polls will be declared on 18 December.
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