Disposing the first of five Congress complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission Tuesday found no violation of the Model Code of Conduct and electoral laws in Modi’s April 1 speech at a poll rally in Wardha, Maharashtra. He also said the Congress tried to label Hindus as terrorists and that the party would not be forgiven for it. Calling Modi’s remarks “hateful, vile and divisive”, the Congress had approached the Commission on April 5, seeking action against the PM. The Commission’s clean chit to Modi on the Wardha speech was based on the report of the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer submitted on April 6. It will be open for the Election Commission of India to pass necessary/appropriate orders on the representation(s) of the petitioner,” the bench said, fixing the next hearing on May 2.

Source: Indian Express April 30, 2019 23:26 UTC