Election Commission withdraws its notice to Rahul Gandhi for giving an interview

New Delhi, Dec 17: The Election Commission on Sunday withdrew its notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi seeking a reply on violating the code of conduct by giving an interview to a Gujarati Channel. The poll panel had issued a show-cause notice to Nehru-Gandhi scion as to why no action should be taken against him for giving an interview after campaigning ended for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections. The election commission will conduct counting of votes for Gujarat Assembly elections on Monday.

The Election Commission had later changed its stance. It had called a meeting to ascertain if Rahul Gandhi violated the model code of conduct or not. The EC notice had said the TV interviews fell within the definition of "election matter" and violated the Act.

Soon after the notice, the Congress leaders had said the Election Commission was a BJP "puppet" for not acting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi had violated the model code of conduct by holding a "roadshow" after voting in the Assembly polls, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged. The grand old party had also petitioned the poll panel to take action against Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body.