EC Summons Notices to Makers Of Modi Biopic

The election commission has sent notice to the makers of PM Narendra Modi biopic after opposition parties complained that the purpose of the release was political to get extra mileage in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The opposition has demanded to postpone its release till the Lok Sabha elections get over. The film is slated for release on April 5^th.

“Since parties had approached the EC, it will also issue a notice,” a functionary said. The EC would seek their comments on delaying the release. On March 20, East Delhireturning officer K Mahesh soumotu issued notices to the production house and music company behind the film PM Narendra Modi and two leading newspapers for publishing advertisements of the film.

Opposition parties have alleged that the film is violative of the model code and would act as an advertisement for the BJP. The Congress on Monday moved the Election Commission urging it to not allow the release of the PM Narendra Modi biopic.

Briefing reporters, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, "This is no artistic venture, it is a political venture. And that's what we have told the Election Commission. It should not be allowed. It does not allow for a level playing field. It violates the spirit of Article 324 of the Constitution. It violates the cable network rules. It also violates Section 126 of the Representation of Peoples Act".

The Congress leader said the party told the poll panel that "this was a kind of political propaganda which must be regulated."Earlier the DMK had sought for a stay of the film.ArasuBhupathi of the DMK's engineering wing from Pollachi had written to the Chief Election Commissioner, the State Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer to ban the film.

The Vivek Oberoi starer showcases the trajectory of PM Modi's life, from his formative years with the RSS, his chief ministership in Gujarat and how he led his party to a majority victory in 2014 and thereby becoming the Prime Minister of the country.