Congress tells EC this is Narendra Modi’s photo, but it is not


Ahmedabad, 18 April 2014

It seems, Gujarat Congress files complaint against BJP in the Election Commission without any seriousness. Look at this today’s complaint the party has filed against BJP. While grammatical mistakes are routine(why don’t they file complaint in Gujarati instead?) the factual mistakes also attract attention.

There’s a Gujarati film ‘Namo sahune gamo’ released today at few places across Gujarat. The state Congress unit has filed complaint against release of this movie and asked Election Commission to stay its release. The complaint has been sent to the Chief Election Commissioner in Delhi and the electoral officer in Gujarat.

The Congress party in its complaint draft says: The above referred aspect is concerned in the daily news paper “Sandesh”, “Divya Bhaskar”, an advertisement is published in the name of Pragatya Films Pvt. Ltd. and A.D. Films (Baroda). That a movie is to be released in the various cinema halls from 18-4-2014. The advertisement is also shows the photograph of Mr. Narendra Modi. Primarily it is a movie to make an advertisement and election propaganda of BJP and its Prime Ministerial candidate Mr. Narendra Modi.

The reality is that the photograph Congress party refers to doesn’t feature Narendra Modi. It’s actually a film actor in get up of Narendra Modi. Thus the basic point in Congress’s complaint is faulty.

The Congress party in its complaint further says: Permitting releasing of such movie will violate the MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT for the parliamentary election 2014. The releasing of movie will be incurring of expense at the name of private person though it is election campaign of BJP and Mr. Narendra Modi. It violates further Model Code of Conduct as movie will continue even after completion of period for official propaganda which will get over before 48 hours of voting in Gujarat. It is respectfully submitted that for gathering of crowd and for publicity of political party or a person, the permission of the election commission is to be always obtained. In this case details of movie and contents of that are not informed to the Election Commission. Therefore releasing of such movie during this election period may not be permitted.

When asked to react, the film maker said, “Namo sahune gamo means give respect and get respect. It has nothing to do with Narendra Modi who is called as NaMo. My film has been approved by Delhi based censor board which is the highest authority to approve or disapprove a film. I am not a political person then where is the question of Election Commission restrictions?”

The Congress party in its complaint says: In view of the above, since the releasing of movie without showing its expenditure of the BJP party and Mr. Narendra Modi even it is proposed to continue show of such movie during last 48 hours prior to voting and thirdly such movie is sought to be released without providing details and contents thereof to the Election Commission. There is a possibility in the movie contents which is explosive material for disturbing the law and order in society. In view of the above we request you to look in to the subject movie named “Namo Saune Gamo” which is releasing on 18-4-2014 and be pleased to stay the releasing of movie till voting of parliamentary election throughout in country.

However the question arises that why Congress party didn’t care to watch the film before filing the complaint? Why they are referring to possibility of explosive material? The film is already in theater and a group of Congress men could go and watch the movie to file strong complaint.