BJP Gujarat Chief Chandrakant Raghunath Patil rejected Congress’ claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a “roadshow” before casting his vote in the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls 2022 on Monday.
Explaining the circumstances under which the PM cast his votes Patil said, “There was no roadshow. Despite security concerns, PM Modi ditched convoy to walk on foot after casting his vote.”
“Congress has the right to complain but PM Modi did not do any roadshow today [Monday]. He did not violate any rule,” he added.
Gujarat BJP Chief C.R. Paatil reacts to Cong's allegation that PM Modi violated model code of conduct during 2nd phase polling.
"There was no roadshow. Despite security concerns, PM Modi ditched convoy to walk on foot after casting his vote."- @CRPaatilReports @urvashikhona pic.twitter.com/yiN9GxkhO9
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 5, 2022
Congress on Monday pointed the “road show” as a violation of the model code of conduct and hit out at the Election Commission (EC) for ignoring the alleged violation.
The Congress also said that it is taking advice for taking legal route on the issue.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “Over the last several weeks, we have seen the total inaction, the total silence of the watchdog of our democracy, the watchdog of our elections, that’s the Election Commission of India.”
Congress leader @Pawankhera slams BJP for elecion code violation in #GujaratElections
"Why should this be a live telecast event? Isn't this publicity? Isn't this a lack of level-playing field?", @Pawankhera on PM Modi holding roadshow amid polling.
Reports @Anand_Journ pic.twitter.com/t4RiydKBMw
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 5, 2022
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined in the chorus. She was quoted by media as saying,“Roadshow is not permitted on the day of voting but Prime Minister Modi and his party are VVIPs, they can do anything and they will be excused.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission in Gujarat has received a complaint against the Prime Minister. As per media reports the complaint has been filed by the Congress’ state legal unit cell chairperson Yogesh Ravani. In the complaint Ravani points out that Modi was carrying a BJP flag and wearing a saffron scarf when he alighted 500-600 m away from the polling booth at Ranip and walked with people who gathered around him.
The complaint also pointed out that the visuals of the alleged road-show were telecast on live television even as the code of conduct was in place due to polling.