Election Commission to 'examine' Rahul Gandhi's interviews with Gujarati channels after BJP complaint

The Election Commission on Wednesday said it it is looking into the complaints regarding the alleged violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi whose interview with Gujarati TV channels was telecast after the campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly elections closed on Tuesday evening. 

BB Swain,Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, said the poll body has collected the DVDs of the interviews and is looking into the matter. 

"We have got a complaint regarding telecast of an interview. We have collected the DVDs. We will be doing due examination and look into whether it has violated Rules 126 RP Act or not," Swain said. 

Earlier, Union Minister Piyush Goyal alleged said it is not permitted to give an interview after the campaigning has ended. 

"It was not permitted to give an interview in the last 48 hours of campaigning in Gujarat. I am sure the Election Commission will take cognizance of this and take an action," Goyal said. 

The campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly elections drew close on Tuesday evening. 

Reacting to the BJP charge, Congress said the ruling party is using the “EC as a tool for its political gains.” 

“When Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi gave interviews to a few Gujarati news channels, BJP, in the name of Election Commission, threatened to jail the journalists of those channels for broadcasting it. We condemn this arrogant behaviour of BJP,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Rahul's interview with two regional channels, including Zee Kalak, was telecast on Wednesday. 

Voting for 93 seats of 182-member Gujarat Assembly will take place tomorrow and the results for elections will be announced on December 18.