The clean chit was given despite Lavasa’s request on file for further clarification from NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on whether the government think tank had indeed sought information from the collectors of Gondia, Wardha and Latur, and if the information was used for the PM’s visit.
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to revisit its clean chit to the NITI Aayog and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) over an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), at Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa’s insistence.
Last week, the poll panel had disposed of a Congress complaint alleging misuse of the NITI Aayog by the PMO for gathering information on Gondia, Wardha and Latur ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election rallies there.
Speaking at a press conference on May 12, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena had informed journalists that the EC had found no merit in the complaint as the PM, by virtue of an instruction issued on October 7, 2014, is permitted to combine his official and electioneering visits.
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