Congress moves Election Commission against Narendra Modi on Lord Ram's picture

NEW DELHI: Accusing Narendra Modi of using religion for canvassing by putting out Lord Ram's portrait in the backdrop at his Faizabad rally, Congress today approached Election Commission demanding registration of an FIR against him and other party leaders as well as derecognition of 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 Parliamentary constituency Amethi by BJP and Aam Aadmi Party as well as gathering of volunteers from RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal to "destabilise" the polls and asked the EC to put preventive measures in place.

Hours after Modi addressed a rally in Faizabad with the 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, the AICC 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," the Secretary of AICC legal department K C Mittal said in a communication to the 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 Kumar Vishwas of Aam Aadmi Party. 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.