EC yet to take decision on Sonia, Modi

New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) The Election Commission has yet to take a decision on UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and two other political leaders following complaints against them pertaining to violation of the model code of conduct during the electioneering for the state assembly polls.

This information was given by Deputy Election Commssioner Jai Priya Prakash while addressing a news conference at the end of the second and final phase polls in the State.

The other two leaders against whom the complaints were registered are -- former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and Senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra.

The pitched-up campaign witnessed ugly and bitter accusations and recriminations with free slangining of charges and counter-charges.

On a query as to whether the Commission has taken a decision on complaints against the four, Mr Prakash said the EC has ''not taken a decision so far''.

On being asked whether the Commission would be able to take a final view on the complaints by December 23, the date of counting of votes, Mr Prakash offered no comments.

''Being too occupied with the Gujarat polls, we could not take a decision today,'' he said.

Accusations and counter-accusations had flown thick and fast in the run-up to the polls. Mrs Gandhi, while unleashing vitriol against Mr Modi, had described him as a '' merchant of death'' following which the Gujarat Chief Minister had hit back, justifying and rationalising the post-Godhra violence and the fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, a businessman.

Mr Malhotra and Mr Singh were also served notices on certain alleged uttrences during the campaigning.

UNI