New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday demanded "immediate arrest" of Narendra Modi against whom an FIR has been filed for violating electoral laws soon after casting his vote in a booth in Gujarat.
In separate communications to the EC, it also sought action against Modi`s key aide Amit Shah and some other BJP leaders, including sitting MP Kirit Solanki from Gujarat. "It is submitted that from the facts and the information available, it is found that Modi also committed offence within the meaning of Section 130, in addition to Section 126 of Representation of People Act, 1951, since he was canvassing in and near polling station which is prohibited under Section 130 of the RP Act.
"It is, therefore, requested that section 130 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 may kindly be added in the FIR and he should be charged with the offence under Section 126 and 130 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and he should be arrested immediately," AICC legal department Secretary KC Mittal said in a communication to the EC after meeting the poll panel in person. In another communication in connection with Shah, he said the BJP leader has once again violated the Model Code of Conduct as well as the undertaking given by him to the EC to abide by the norms prescribed in the code and hence the relaxation of the ban earlier imposed on him should be withdrawn.
Citing a statement of Shah in Lucknow on April 19 against Congress candidate in Varanasi Ajay Rai that "why Congress could not find a cleaner candidate against Modi", Mittal alleged that the BJP leader has "maligned the reputation of Congress candidate".
"It is, therefore, requested to take immediate stern action and in addition to imposing of ban as before," he said.
In a separate communication, Congress drew EC`s attention to Shah`s statement made in Navapur area of Ahmedabad on April 30 after having cast his vote saying it was in violation of Section 126 and 130 of Representation of People Act.
"On April 30, campaigning was not allowed since the polling was going on but he addressed a gathering and media persons and made appeal to vote for BJP, which was televised on TV channels, in Gujarat and other parts of the country.
"It is submitted that statement was made for seeking vote for BJP, in unambiguous terms projecting Modi as future prime ministerial candidate and making promises. The appeal was to seek vote and support expressly for BJP. The tone and tenor of what Mr Shah has stated is in violation of Section 126/130 of Representation of People Act, 1951," Mittal alleged.
He also said that BJP candidates Kirit Solanki from Ahmedabad (West), Haribhai Chaudhry from Banaskantha and Mohan Kundaria from Amreli (Gujarat) also made similar and identical statements on April 30 and committed offence under Section 126 of Representation of People Act.
"It is, therefore, requested that FIR under relevant section may be registered against them and further action may be taken as per law," the Congress said.