Third clean chit to Modi: 'Nuclear button for Diwali' remark not MCC violation, says EC

Earlier, the poll body concluded that the prime minister's speech in Latur last month in which he had urged first time voters to dedicate their votes in the name of the Balakot air strike heroes and the soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack, is not violative of its instructions on invoking armed forces in poll campaigns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PIC/AFP.

Following the Congress' complaint, the EC had sought a report on the address of the prime minister in Barmer from the district poll authorities.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised Modi's remark as "irresponsible".

Earlier, the Congress expressed disappointment over the Election Commission's clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his speech in Wardha, saying it has become "crystal clear" that the model code of conduct has become the "Modi Code of Conduct".

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday gave a clean chit to PM Narendra Modi on his 'nuclear button for Diwali' remark at Barmer in Rajasthan. During a poll rally in Barmer last month, Modi had said India is no more afraid of Pakistan's nuclear threats. "India has stopped getting scared of Pakistan's threats, I have done right, no? Else every other day they (Pakistan) used to say 'we have nuclear button'....What do we have then? Have we kept it (nuclear button) for Diwali?" he had said. Take umbrage at his remarks for whipping up war hysteria, Opposition parties had hit out at Modi for bringing nuclear bombs in the political discourse. The Congress had then moved the Election Commission (EC) alleging that the prime minister "brazenly" violated the poll code by repeatedly invoking the armed forces in his speeches and demanded that a campaign ban be imposed on him for some time. Following the Congress' complaint, the EC had sought a report on the address of the prime minister in Barmer from the district poll authorities. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised Modi's remark as "irresponsible". "PM Narendra Modi's election speeches and irresponsible statements point to the growing desperation in the BJP. Prime Minister's boastful claims of being ready for a nuclear missile attack on Pakistan and US intervention are uncalled for and not in interest of national security," Sharma tweeted. Sharma's reaction was also in reference to Modi's comments in Patan in Gujarat that after Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was held by Pakistan, a senior American official on the second day said that "Modi has kept 12 missiles ready and might attack and the situation will deteriorate".

Whether Diwali or Eid, both PM Modi & Ms Mufti have used the threat of nuclear annihilation as some sort of PUBG type game where they can just hit the reset button & life will carry on. Both of them would be well served to remember #Hiroshima & #Nagasaki when issuing such threats

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 22, 2019

This is the third clean chit given to the prime minister for his remarks at poll rallies. Earlier, the poll body concluded that the prime minister's speech in Latur last month in which he had urged first time voters to dedicate their votes in the name of the Balakot air strike heroes and the soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack, is not violative of its instructions on invoking armed forces in poll campaigns. the Election Commission gave a green signal to Modi for his speech in Wardha in which he had slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad and had "indicated" that the Kerala constituency had more voters from the minority community.

PM Narendra Modi’s election speeches and irresponsible statements point to the growing desperation in the BJP. Prime Minister’s boastful claims of being ready for a nuclear missile attack on Pakistan and US intervention are uncalled for and not in interest of national security.

— Anand Sharma (@AnandSharmaINC) April 22, 2019

Prior to that, the Election Commission gave a green signal to Modi for his speech in Wardha in which he had slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad and had "indicated" that the Kerala constituency had more voters from the minority community. The Congress expressed disappointment over the Election Commission's clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his speech in Wardha, saying it has become "crystal clear" that the model code of conduct has become the "Modi Code of Conduct". (With inputs from PTI)

Published at : 02 May 2019 09:13 PM (IST)

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