BackCongress moves EC against Narendra Modi over Lord Ram picture
The BJP leader was accused of using Lord Ram's picture as backdrop during his election rally in Faizabad
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New Delhi: Accusing Narendra Modi of using religion for canvassing by putting out Lord Ram’s portrait in the backdrop at his Faizabad election rally, Congress on Monday approached Election Commission of India (EC) demanding registration of an FIR against him and other party leaders as well as derecognition of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The party also raised the issue of Modi’s statements on Bangladeshi immigrants.
In a separate communication, Congress also protested against the distribution of “objectionable" and “malicious" booklets in Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi constituency by BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as well as gathering of volunteers from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal to “destabilize" the elections and asked the EC to put preventive measures in place.
Hours after Modi addressed a rally in Faizabad with portrait of Lord Ram providing the backdrop and asked people living in the birthplace of the Hindu deity to teach Congress for not fulfilling electoral promises, Congress knocked the EC’s doors alleging that it was clear violation of the law and also the model code of conduct.
“BJP and Modi have used the portrait of Lord Ram, which is strategically placed behind the podium from where the speech is being delivered by him. The headgear of Lord Ram fits on the head of Modi as can be seen in the video, when he is delivering the speech which deceives the gullible voter," said K.C. Mittal, secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) legal department, in a communication to chief election commissioner V.S. Sampath.
Noting that the rally was being telecast live by all news channels and the internet link was available, Mittal said that this was clear case of canvassing and seeking vote on the basis of religion for BJP and BJP candidates including Modi since the rally was televised in Varanasi also.
“It is a very serious matter and clear violation of the law and also the model code of conduct for which all of them are liable to be prosecuted including Modi. It is therefore, requested that FIR should be registered against all of them and the BJP may be derecognized," Mittal said.
In a separate communication by Mittal and senior party leader Motilal Vora, the AICC demanded deployment of adequate paramilitary force and taking all preventive measures for conduct of smooth polls in Amethi, where Rahul Gandhi is pitted against BJP’s Smriti Irani and AAP’s Kumar Vishwas.
They alleged that booklets containing material which spread religious and communal hatred and fake, malicious and obscene matter are being distributed in different parts of the country at public places, including trains and buses.
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