Lok Sabha polls 2014: CD of Narendra Modi's speech at Serampore sent to EC

KOLKATA: The CD of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's controversial speech at Serampore in West Bengal has been sent to the Election Commission, which had asked for it, to examine if it violated the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission, after taking suo motu cognizance of the speech, yesterday sought the CD and a transcript of Modi's speech in which he questioned high price paid for a painting of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Yesterday we sought the CD and transcript of Modi's speech at Serampore in West Bengal from the Hooghly DM, who immediately submitted the CD to the state Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta. The CD was then sent to the Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi promptly," the OSD in CEO's office Amit Roy Chowdhury said here today.

Roy Chowdhury said, "Since Narendra Modi's speech was made in Hindi, a transcript of the speech is not required and thus we have sent the CD only to the Deputy Election Commissioner."

He said the speech was also available on YouTube. Modi had said in his speech, "Your (Mamata) paintings used to be sold for Rs 4 lakh, Rs 8 lakh or Rs 15 lakh, but what is the reason that one of your paintings sold for Rs 1.80 crore? I respect art. But who was the person who bought the painting for Rs 1.80 crore?"

In response, the TMC demanded a public apology from Modi for doubting the integrity of its leader over the sale of her painting.

TMC leader Mukul Roy earlier in the day said the party had written to the EC, complaining that such "unsubstantiated" allegations were a violation of model code.