Election Commission has become Narendra Modi's 'puppet': Congress

The Congress on Thursday made a strong attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of becoming a "puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was breaking rules in a last bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

Charging the poll panel with not acting on its complaints against the BJP and Modi, the Congress said the Election Commission was turning a blind eye to democratic and constitutional norms being violated by the ruling party openly and brazenly.

The Congress strongly objected to Modi's "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad which it said was a flagrant violation of the model code of conduct.

"It was an election campaign. Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. The Election



Commission, it seems, is working under pressure from the Prime Minister and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.

"If any shame is left in the Election Commission, it should act on the Congress complaints," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.

He said Modi was brazenly violating constitutional norms and the Election Commission was silent.

"The Election Commission has set different standards for the BJP and the Congress. What is the reason for the Election Commission to behave like a front organisation of the BJP?"

Surjewala said the Congress asked the poll panel about its complaints and was told that they would be looked into after 5 p.m. after the end of the second and final phase of Gujarat election.