BJP, Congress spar over Rahul TV interview

PTI, GANDHINAGAR/NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi's interviews to Gujarati TV channels aired today on the eve of final phase of the Assembly elections sparked a complaint by the BJP with the Election Commission which sought his explanation for "prima facie" violating the poll rules. As the BJP and the Congress were locked in a war of words over the interview, the Election Commission issued a  show cause notice to the Congress president-elect to explain by 5 pm on December 18 as to why action should not be taken against him. Counting of votes is due to be taken up on December 18.

The poll body in its 2-page order tonight also said it will decide the matter without any reference to him if he fails to respond to the notice. In a press statement earlier, the EC said it has asked TV channels to "forthwith stop" airing interviews of Rahul Gandhi as they violated the election law and directed the Gujarat poll authorities to lodge FIRs against anyone for infringement of legal provisions.

It said Rahul Gandhi talked about the Gujarat assembly elections in which the polling for the second phase will be held tomorrow. The notice said display of his interview by channels falls within the definition of ”election matter” under Section 126 (3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and display of such election matter within 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll, amounts to violation of the prohibition contained in Section 126 (1) (b) of the Act, 1951.

defeat in the Gujarat polls that he "violated" the Model Code of Conduct to giving the media interviews.

The Congress on its part accused Chief Minister Vijay Ruapani and others of threatening journalists for airing Rahul Gandhi's interview and urged the Election Commission for action against them including registration of cases.  Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat B B Swain told  reporters in Gandhinagar earlier in the day that a report will be submitted to the Election Commission of India.

While the BJP claimed that airing of interviews today was a "clear violation" of the poll code, Swain said the rules and guidelines which prohibit campaigning in the 48-hour period before the end of polling do not amount to a "gag order".

"There are rules and guidelines which ban broadcasting of certain election-related content on TV during 48 hours... But we can not call it a gag order. "Yes, we have received a complaint. We will acquire the CD of interview(s) and watch it to decide whether it has violated various provisions of section 126 of the Representation of the People Act. After that we will convey our opinion to the Election Commission," Swain said.