Election Commission's decision to give clean chit to PM Modi wasn't unanimous: Report

The Election Commission’s decision to give clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two of the 11 poll code violation complaints against him was not taken unanimously by the poll body and at least one Commissioner had opposed it, according to reports. The poll body had given clean chit to Modi for his “minority-majority” speech at Wardha on April 1 and his appeal to first-time voters by invoking the Balakot air strikes in Latur on April 9.

According to the report published in The Indian Express, the decision to clear Modi of poll code violation charges was taken by 2:1 majority. However, decision on his 'nuclear button for Diwali' remark at a rally in Rajasthan’s Barmer was taken unanimously with all the three commissioners finding no violation of Model Code of Conduct.

After Supreme Court’s order to decide on all the 9 pending complaints of poll code violation against Modi by May 6, the Election Commission on Thursday give clean chit to Modi in the third complaint.

For the first time ever, Modi had used India’s nuclear capability to threaten Pakistan during an election rally in Barmer. India follows no first use policy on nukes and always maintained that its nuclear assets are only for strategic deterrence.

“India has stopped getting scared of Pakistan's threats, I have done right, no? Else every other day they (Pakistan) used to say 'we have nuclear button'....What do we have then? Have we kept it (nuclear button) for Diwali?" the prime minister had told the gathering.

The Congress had alleged that the prime minister “brazenly” violated the Model Code of Conduct by invoking the armed forces despite Election Commission’s instructions against it. Following the Congress party’s complaint, the Barmer district poll authorities submitted a factual report to the poll panel.

Barmer district poll authorities has on Monday submitted a factual report to the poll panel after the Congress alleged that he violated the Model Code of Conduct “brazenly” by talking about the armed forces. This was the third straight clean chit given to PM Modi on opposition's complaint of poll code violation.