PM Modi's Balakot statements under inspection by Election Commission

Appealing first-time voters to bestow their vote to those who carried out the Balakot air strike was a statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which remains to be under the inspection of the Election Commission to determine whether they disrupt its directive to political parties against using the armed forces in their campaign, sources said on Friday. In this regard, the Commission said that they seek certain details from poll authorities in Maharashtra.

Modi's remarks are prima facie violative of its orders on armed forces, told the local poll authorities to the EC. "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike," said Modi who was addressing a rally in Ausa in Maharashtra's Latur on April 9.

"I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan. Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)," Modi added.

The EC had pursued the report in the context of a recommendation issued last month asking parties to abstain from indulging in political propaganda concerning activities of the armed forces. "...parties/candidates are advised that their campaigners/candidates should desist, as part of their election campaigning, from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defense forces," said the Commission on March 19.