New Delhi, May 1 (IANS) As the BJP defended its leader Narendra Modi who was booked for flashing the party's election symbol near a polling booth, the Congress Thursday slammed the main opposition party for insulting the EC.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley Thursday indirectly suggested that the Election Commission (EC) acted in haste when it asked for a police complaint to be registered against Modi.
Jaitley, in a blog published Thursday, said all politicians interact with the media after casting their votes.
"When constitutional institutions react in haste and even anger, they miss out the larger vision," he wrote in the blog.
"Criminal law provisions are to be strictly construed. Their meaning can't be stretched out. A public meeting is a public meeting, the media bite is not a public meeting. If media is to be prosecuted for displaying comments of politicians on a voting day, such a provision will fall foul of constitutional guarantee of free speech," he said.
Jaitley's comments come after Modi himself alleged that the Congress got an FIR registered against him as they were in "panic".
Addressing an election meeting Wednesday night in Tirupati in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, he said the Congress was staring at defeat. "They are worried because a tea seller has challenged their dynasty," he said.
Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal said the poll panel acted on its own, and took on BJP for suggesting the commission was working at the behest of the Congress.
"Modi is aiming for the biggest position in the country, he must be more responsible. Is BJP trying to say EC is being run by the Congress," said Afzal.
"This is an insult of the EC."
"Congress did not register an FIR. The EC had taken suo motu cognizance of the issue, our complaint went later," he said.
The Congress leader also slammed television channels for violating the model code of conduct by telecasting Modi's comments.
"This is the third time they are violating the model code of conduct. First, they released their manifesto before the first polling day. Then, Modi's road show in Varanasi was shown all across the country on a polling day. This is the third time," he said, adding that "intention of some media houses also needs to be questioned for showing the road show (in Varanasi) for hours at a stretch".
Modi was Wednesday booked for showing off his party symbol lotus close to a polling booth in Gandhinagar where he voted.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, complained that this violated the model code of conduct. On the urging of the poll panel, the Gujarat authorities filed a police complaint against Modi.
Concern over Russia-Ukraine war: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said – its effect will be seen on essential things
The war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified. Its effect is visible all over the world including India and this is the reason that the eyes of all the countries are fixed on the situation in
Unabated cold wave sweeps Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar, Jan 4 (IANS) Bone-chilling weather continued in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday as overnight temperatures remained several notches below the freezing point in the valley and Ladakh
World's most powerful mobile charging technology introduced, mobile will be charged 50% in 5 minutes
Realme 150W UltraDart Charging Technology has been introduced. It has been introduced with the Realme GT 2 series at MWC 2022. The company said that the new charging technology will debut later this
Andhra forms Women's Empowerment Corporation
Hyderabad, March 3 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday constituted a women's empowerment corporation as part of its efforts to eliminate poverty and improve the human development index
NGT: Joint panel of NGT will prepare a report on air pollution from thermal plant
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint panel to submit a factual report on air pollution caused by the transportation of fly ash from various thermal power stations in Singrauli in
Dehradun Cloudburst: Cloudburst in Sahastradhara causes devastation, Shivling submerged, one labourer dies in Mussoorie...
Continuous rain is wreaking havoc in Uttarakhand. A late-night cloudburst in Dehradun's Sahastradhara area has caused heavy destruction. At the same time, due to heavy rain late at night in Mussoorie,
Built a grand city in 600 acres, zero expense: all the money was donated, the designer is 6th pass, the owners of 5 thousand crores worked
Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar has been constructed in Ahmedabad for the centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj without spending a single penny. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this
Why did India and Pakistan come on a line in the UN over Russia?
In the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a resolution condemning the attack on Ukraine against Russia was passed by a vote of 141-5.
150 years of Vande Mataram: PM Modi launches commemoration; also releases commemorative stamp and coin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a year-long commemoration to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song "Vande Mataram." Prime Minister Modi attended the event held at the Indira
India can ask for local trials before approving Pfizer's vaccine
Pfizer's Corona vaccine has so far received emergency approval in more than 5 countries, including the United States, Britain. The process of vaccinating health workers and high-groups has also
