NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale lodged a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, accusing him of breaching the poll code by using an Indian Air Force helicopter to attend an election rally in Andhra Pradesh.
In the letter addressed to the chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh, Gokhale was referring to PM Modi’s appearance at a rally in Chilakaluripet of Palnadu district, where the prime minister held a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rally along with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan on Sunday.
“This is to bring to your urgent notice and to file a formal complaint for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17.03.2024 in the Assembly Constituency of 96-Chilakaluripet in Palnadu District of Andhra Pradesh,” Gokhale wrote in his letter.
Gokhale asserted that PM Modi arrived at the rally site, organised as part of BJP’s election campaign, in an IAF helicopter with tail number ZP 5236.
“Your kind attention is drawn to the Election Commission’s rules on use of official vehicles and helicopters laid down in the ECI’s Letter number. 464/INST/2014/EPS 10.04.2014 addressed to the Chief Electoral Officers of all States/UTs,” he said.
In a post on X, where he also shared his complaint, Gokhale said that the EC rules prohibit use of state machinery for campaigning.
“Indira Gandhi was disqualified in 1975 specifically for this reason,” he added.
Gokhale referenced the disqualification of former PM Indira Gandhi by the Allahabad High Court in 1975 for similar reasons. A key finding was that her election agent, Yashpal Kapur, also served as the district magistrate of Rae Bareli.
He raised questions about whether the BJP paid for using the chopper and that the EC should make it clear on what grounds using an Air Force chopper was necessary.
The TMC leader said, “If BJP paid for renting the IAF chopper, then EC should let us all know along with the grounds for why an IAF chopper was essential (CMs & other Z+ protectees use normal VVIP choppers which have all required security features).”
“EC had said while announcing the elections that code of conduct violations will be dealt with strictly. Let’s see if EC initiates a probe or any action against PM Modi for using an IAF chopper for election campaigning,” he said.
Gokhale urged the Election Commission to investigate the matter promptly. He said that the EC guidelines say there shall be a “total and absolute ban on the use of official vehicles for campaigning, electioneering or election related travel during elections”.
“Therefore, the use of an official Indian Air Force helicopter by the Hon’ble PM solely to address an election rally is a clear violation of the aforementioned guidelines. Through this letter, you’re requested to urgently register a complaint regarding the same and to initiate immediate action in this matter,” the Rajya Sabha MP added.
(With input from agencies)
In the letter addressed to the chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh, Gokhale was referring to PM Modi’s appearance at a rally in Chilakaluripet of Palnadu district, where the prime minister held a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rally along with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan on Sunday.
“This is to bring to your urgent notice and to file a formal complaint for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17.03.2024 in the Assembly Constituency of 96-Chilakaluripet in Palnadu District of Andhra Pradesh,” Gokhale wrote in his letter.
Gokhale asserted that PM Modi arrived at the rally site, organised as part of BJP’s election campaign, in an IAF helicopter with tail number ZP 5236.
“Your kind attention is drawn to the Election Commission’s rules on use of official vehicles and helicopters laid down in the ECI’s Letter number. 464/INST/2014/EPS 10.04.2014 addressed to the Chief Electoral Officers of all States/UTs,” he said.
In a post on X, where he also shared his complaint, Gokhale said that the EC rules prohibit use of state machinery for campaigning.
“Indira Gandhi was disqualified in 1975 specifically for this reason,” he added.
Gokhale referenced the disqualification of former PM Indira Gandhi by the Allahabad High Court in 1975 for similar reasons. A key finding was that her election agent, Yashpal Kapur, also served as the district magistrate of Rae Bareli.
He raised questions about whether the BJP paid for using the chopper and that the EC should make it clear on what grounds using an Air Force chopper was necessary.
The TMC leader said, “If BJP paid for renting the IAF chopper, then EC should let us all know along with the grounds for why an IAF chopper was essential (CMs & other Z+ protectees use normal VVIP choppers which have all required security features).”
“EC had said while announcing the elections that code of conduct violations will be dealt with strictly. Let’s see if EC initiates a probe or any action against PM Modi for using an IAF chopper for election campaigning,” he said.
Gokhale urged the Election Commission to investigate the matter promptly. He said that the EC guidelines say there shall be a “total and absolute ban on the use of official vehicles for campaigning, electioneering or election related travel during elections”.
“Therefore, the use of an official Indian Air Force helicopter by the Hon’ble PM solely to address an election rally is a clear violation of the aforementioned guidelines. Through this letter, you’re requested to urgently register a complaint regarding the same and to initiate immediate action in this matter,” the Rajya Sabha MP added.
(With input from agencies)
