Asansol, May 4 (NDTV): BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday hit back at the Election Commission (EC) -- which had earlier ordered the filing of a First Information Report against him for violating election laws -- and dared it to file "another case against him".
While addressing an election rally in Asansol in West Bengal, Mr Modi took on the EC, saying, "You have failed to stop rigging. False cases have been filed against (Asansol BJP candidate) Babul (Supriyo). The EC must do its duty".
"Once again, I am saying that in Bihar and Bengal, the same thing will happen: rigging and violence. You have the machinery, why don't you do your duty? If the EC doesn't like what I am saying, they can file another case against me," said Mr Modi.
Mr Modi had earlier been pulled up by the EC for taking a selfie with the BJP's election symbol, a lotus, and then addressing the media after casting his vote at the polling booth in Ahmedabad on April 30.
"It is evident from Modi's tone and tenor that he made a political speech. He intended, calculated to influence voting today," the Election Commission had said, adding that the BJP leader had broken the law by campaigning in a polling area.
A FIR was subsequently registered against Mr Modi and the television channels which had covered him during the event.
Reacting to the EC's action against him, Mr Modi had caustically observed, "In my entire life, not even a single FIR has been registered against me, not even for driving a scooter on the wrong side or for wrong parking. I will never forget April 30."
The poll watchdog, he said, has all the government machinery at its disposal and more powers than even the prime minister.
"Then why are you not acting? It is your responsibility to ensure impartial polls. I am making very serious allegations," Mr Modi said.
"Democracy doesn't work like this. I know that in the elections on May 30 how much rigging took place. Will this game go on," he said.
Mr Modi recalled that he had said in Uttar Pradesh too that in some areas problems relating to the polls would take place.
"But the Election Commission could do nothing. Today I am saying it again. Is it not the responsibility of the Election Commission that elections should be peaceful," he added.