Social activists protest against "violation" of model code of conduct by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad

By A Representative
It is not just political parties who strongly protested against Gujarat chief minister for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. Top environmentalist and social activist from Vadodara, Rohit Prajapati, has asked VS Sampath, chief election commissioner, India, to “initiate exemplary action against Narendra Modi, the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP for “violation” of the model code of conduct of the Election Commission of India in Ahmedabad after casting his vote on April 30, 2014.
Co-signed by another social activist Trupti Shah, a women’s activist, the letter said, the violation called for cancellation of “Modi’s candidature from Varanasi and Vadodara in addition to action under Section 126(2) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951”. Prajapati represents Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, and Shah Sahiyar.  Both Prajapati and Shah belong to Vadodara, from where Modi is fighting Lok Sabha polls. The letter believes that filing FIR against Modi is too soft a step, the commission should act hard.
Calling the evidence “undisputed”, the activists said, Modi “deliberately violated the model code of conduct “after casting his vote” by addressing “the people present there and to others across Gujarat and India on polling day via mass media holding the symbol of BJP lotus in his hand, delivering an election speech”. Saying that it “demonstrates the impunity with which he flouts rules and utter disregard for constitutional values”, they added, “The act was telecasted live through television channels, which is an irreversible act affecting the free and fair election.”
“We came to know through your website that a letter dated April 30, 2014 has been sent to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Gujarat State for some action. While the Election Commission of India has already initiated action we believe more needs to be done to set an example”, the activists said.
“Modi has violated the section 126 (1) The Representation of People’s Act, 1951 (126. Prohibition of public meetings during period of forty-eight hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll (1) No person shall - (a) convene, hold, attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election; or (b) display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, "television or other similar apparatus; … in any polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area.)”, the activists said.
They point out that section 126 (2) clearly states that “any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine, or with both. (3) In this section, the expression "election matter" means any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election.” They added, “We strongly feel that to repose faith in Election Commission of India's fairness following action should be taken against Modi.”
The activists underscored:
"(1) The Act of Modi is serious in nature, had done irreversible damage to free and fair election that is why his candidature from both Vadodara and Varanasi constituencies should be cancelled; and
"(2) Modi should be prosecuted as per section 126(2) of The Representation of People’s Act, 1951."