Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students not poll violation: Election Commission

CHENNAI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi's interaction with students at Stella Maris women's college here did not violate the election commission's model code of conduct, the Election Commission said on Thursday. Nevertheless, the EC has sought a report on his speech.

The District Electoral Officer (DEO) has informed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo that Gandhi's event at the college had sought and been given permission and hence there was no violation of model code of conduct (MCC).

The CEO, who said that local election officials have reported there was no violation in terms of permission obtained by Stella Maris College for Women to host the interaction on March 13, went on to add that he had sought further information on Rahul’s speech.

“I have sought further information on what kind of speech was given. I have asked the DEO to give a report based on the speech content,” Sahoo said.

On a hectic day, before launching the UPA campaign for Tamil Nadu at Nagercoil, Rahul had interacted with the students. Videos of Rahul’s interaction went viral in the social media. His informal interaction revolved around various issues ranging from economy to the controversial Rafale deal and on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taking a serious note of the event hosted by Stella Maris College, the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE) had sought a report from the regional joint director (Chennai) as to how permission was granted to the college to host the event when the moel code of conduct was in force in view of the Lok Sabha polls.