Row over Modi’s video message to voters

 ‘His address to voters in Varanasi seeking votes for him is a clear violation of the provisions of the Representation of People (RP) Act and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC),’ the Congress press statement read.

On Monday, when polling was on in 41 constituencies, including in Varanasi from where Modi is contesting, a video message from him on ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb’ of the holy city and requesting voters to cast vote in his favour triggered a political storm.

‘The aim should be to keep the rich tradition of the holy city alive in the name of maa Ganga (mother Ganges). I appeal to people to cast their votes in the last phase of polls with the same zeal and enthusiasm they have shown so far. My brothers and sisters in Kashi, the honour of Kashi is in peace, harmony and unity,’ he said in his video message.

‘This is what we call Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. It should also be reflected in polling. We are all one. We should love each other and take everybody along,’ he said. In an attempt to make a wider appeal, Modi also spread his message through a You Tube link, which was posted online through his Twitter account. While hinting towards the EC, he said, ‘It should have deployed the central paramilitary forces in large numbers in today’s last phase of Lok Sabha elections.’ 

He said, ‘Today polling is being conducted on few seats. The EC has worries about law and order situation. But for free and fair elections, mere worrying is not enough. Polling is taking place in only 41 seats, instead of depending only upon the state police, the EC should deploy central security forces in large numbers to ensure healthy and peaceful polling,’ he said.

While, expressing pride over ‘vibrant’ Indian democracy, he said, ‘The western world should analyse the success of Indian democracy. They should know what is the reason why crores of people in this blistering heat are participating with such an enthusiasm in this election. Despite all the storm of negative publicity during the campaigning, people have shown enough wisdom to tell right from wrong.’