TMC MP Saket Gokhale files complaint against PM Modi for 'violating' poll code by using IAF chopper
New Delhi, Mar 18: Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale on Monday filed a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he violated the poll code by using an Indian Air Force helicopter to attend an election rally in Andhra Pradesh.
In a letter to the chief electoral officer, Andhra Pradesh, Gokhale referred to Modi's visit to Chilakaluripet in Palnadu district on Sunday, where the prime minister addressed a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rally along with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
"This is to bring to your urgent notice and to file a formal complaint for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17.03.2024 in the Assembly Constituency of 96-Chilakaluripet in Palnadu District of Andhra Pradesh," Gokhale said in his letter.
Gokhale said PM Modi arrived at the venue of the rally, which was a part of election campaigning for the BJP, in an IAF helicopter with tail number ZP 5236 on Sunday evening.
"Your kind attention is drawn to the Election Commission's rules on use of official vehicles and helicopters laid down in the ECI's Letter number. 464/INST/2014/EPS 10.04.2014 addressed to the Chief Electoral Officers of all States/UTs," he said.
In a post on X, where he also shared his complaint, Gokhale pointed out that the EC rules prohibit use of state machinery for campaigning.
"Indira Gandhi was disqualified in 1975 specifically for this reason," he said.
Then PM Indira Gandhi was disqualified by the Allahabad High Court in 1975 after being convicted of electoral malpractices. One of the most crucial findings against her was that her election agent, Yashpal Kapur, was the district magistrate of Rae Bareli.
Gokhale also said that if the BJP paid for using the chopper, the EC should make it clear on what grounds using an Air Force chopper was essential.
"If BJP paid for renting the IAF chopper, then EC should let us all know along with the grounds for why an IAF chopper was essential (CMs & other Z+ protectees use normal VVIP choppers which have all required security features)..." he said.
"EC had said while announcing the elections that code of conduct violations will be dealt with strictly. Let's see if EC initiates a probe or any action against PM Modi for using an IAF chopper for election campaigning," the TMC leader said.
In his letter, Gokhale pointed out that the EC guidelines say there shall be a "total and absolute ban on the use of official vehicles for campaigning, electioneering or election related travel during elections".
"Therefore, the use of an official Indian Air Force helicopter by the Hon'ble PM solely to address an election rally is a clear violation of the aforementioned guidelines. Through this letter, you're requested to urgently register a complaint regarding the same and to initiate immediate action in this matter," the Rajya Sabha MP added.
Modi on Sunday addressed the NDA rally 'Prajagalam,' (voice of the public) in Palnadu district, the first joint public meeting of NDA partners in Andhra Pradesh after 10 years. He was joined by TDP supremo Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan in the public meeting.
The MCC is a set of conventions agreed upon by all stakeholders and imposed during elections. Its objective is to keep the campaigning, polling and the counting process orderly, clean and peaceful and check any abuse of state machinery and finances by the party in power.
While it does not enjoy any statutory backing, the Supreme Court has upheld its sanctity on several occasions.
Complaint against PM Modi with ECI for violating code of conduct 👇
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) March 18, 2024
Filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Modi for using an Indian Air Force helicopter to attend an election rally in AC 96-Chilakaluripet in Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh yesterday
EC rules prohibit… pic.twitter.com/vHp8ooE32Z
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Rupee falls 11 paise to 94.27 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 11 paise to 94.27 against US dollar in early trade on Monday driven by persistent dollar demand and a broader shift toward safe-haven assets.
Forex traders said the Indian rupee has hit a rough patch, falling for five consecutive sessions, weighed down by a combination of factors such as the RBI loosening its grip on currency rules and rising oil prices caused by global tensions.
Moreover, investors are becoming cautious again, with foreign institutions pulling money out of the market after a brief period of buying amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
At the interbank foreign exchange market the rupee opened at 94.25 against the US dollar, then lost some ground and touched 94.27 against the US dollar in initial trade, registering a fall of 11 paise over its previous close. On Friday, the rupee had settled at 94.16 against the American currency.
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Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was down 0.09 per cent at 98.44.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 1.16 per cent at USD 106.55 per barrel in futures trade.
A mix of softer economic signals and renewed, even if fragile, hopes of diplomacy pulled the dollar lower again, CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari said, adding that for Rupee, on one hand, a softer dollar offers relief. On the other, uncertainty remains the dominant force.
Meanwhile, India’s forex reserves have crossed USD 703 billion as of April 17, reflecting a consistent build-up of buffers.
"For now, the rupee continues to lean toward gradual weakness. Uncertainty remains the dominant force, shaping both global flows and local reactions," Pabari said.
He further noted that any dips are likely to be bought into, with the 92.80–93.20 zone acting as a strong support. On the upside, 93.50 to 94.50 is expected to define the near-term range.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading 518.96 points or 0.68 per cent higher at 77,183.17, while the broader Nifty was trading up 131.30 points or 0.55 per cent at 24,029.25.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 8,827.87 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
