'No Proof Of PM Modi Holding Roadshow Outside Polling Booth': EC Responds To Congress Claims

Additional chief electoral officer for Gujarat polls Kuldeep Arya said that the crowd outside Ranip polling booth was there on its own and there is no proof of PM Modi holding a roadshow there.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to cast his vote at a polling booth during the second and final phase of Gujarat Assembly elections, at Ranip area in Ahmedabad on Monday.

Source : PTI

Responding to a complaint of the Congress, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conducting a “roadshow” before casting his vote in the Gujarat Assembly polls 2022 on Monday, the Election Commission said that the allegation is unfounded and the people were outside the polling booth on their own.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged: “During the polling day, PM Modi did a roadshow of two & half hours while he went to cast his vote. Will appeal to EC against it, seems like Election Commission is willingly under pressure.”

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee also lashed out at PM Modi saying, “Roadshow is not permitted on the day of voting but Prime Minister Modi and his party are VVIPs, they can do anything and they will be excused.”

Responding to the allegation, additional chief electoral officer Kuldeep Arya said: “The Congress party complained about PM walking to booth. We asked for an immediate report from the election officer in Ahmedabad. As per the report it doesn't get established that it was a roadshow and the crowd was there on its own.”

PM Modi cast his vote at the polling station, set up in a school in Ranip area of Ahmedabad city. Ahead of the commencement of polling, the Prime Minister urged the voters to turn out in large numbers and informed that he too will be casting his vote.

"Urging all those who are voting in Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections, particularly the young voters and women voters to vote in large numbers. I will be casting my vote in Ahmedabad at around 9 AM," he tweeted.

The Congress also claimed that its Dalit MLA from Danta, Kanti Kharadi, was assaulted by BJP workers and that the Election Commission did not respond to MLA’s request for protection before the attack.

Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil took a dig at the Congress, saying: "Congress has the right to complain but PM Modi did not do any roadshow today [Monday]. He did not violate any rule. He walked from the car to the voting centre. Those naming this as a roadshow are clearly showing their disappointment."

(With inputs from ANI.)

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