Saket Gokhale Files Complaint Against PM Modi For Allegedly Violating Code Of Conduct
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale filed a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Election Commission on Monday. The TMC MP alleged that PM Modi violated the code of conduct of elections. The Rajya Sabha member claimed that the prime minister had used an Indian Air Force helicopter to attend an election rally in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.
Sharing the details regarding the complaint he has filed he wrote on X that Modi had used an Indian Air Force helicopter to attend an election rally in AC 96-Chilakaluripet in Palnadu.
Complaint against PM Modi with ECI for violating code of conduct 👇
Filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Modi for using an Indian Air Force helicopter to attend an election rally in AC 96-Chilakaluripet in Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh yesterday
EC rules prohibit… pic.twitter.com/vHp8ooE32Z
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) March 18, 2024
He then emphasized the fact that the Election Commission prohibits the use of state machinery for campaigning and also reminded that earlier former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was disqualified in 1975 specifically for this reason.
Further seeking clarification from the poll body, Saket Gokhale wrote, “If BJP paid for renting the IAF chopper, then EC should let us all know along with the grounds for why an IAF chopper was essential (CMs & other Z+ protectees use normal VVIP choppers which have all required security features)”.
He then highlighted that the Election Commission had earlier announced that the code of conduct would be dealt strictly. “Let”s see if EC initiates a probe or any action against PM Modi for using an IAF chopper for election campaigning,” he concluded.
However, according to the Free Press Journal report, as per the latest Election Body instruction Compendium “during the election process, there is a complete ban on the use of aircraft by political functionaries, including the Chief Minister and Ministers. The only exemption is for the Prime Minister in office.” If this is the case as stated by the Free Press Journal, then Gokhale’s allegation will not seem to hold no ground. Hence Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not face any kind of disqualification over the alleged allegation of the model code of conduct.
