PM Modi’s Copter Checking Row: Former CEC Says ‘Law Is Equal For Everybody’, Praises Naveen’s Conduct During Chopper Check

Bhubaneswar: The suspension of an IAS poll official Mohammed Mohsin for checking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter in Sambalpur has raised several eyebrows across the country. Several have pointed out that the PM’s official vehicle is ‘not exempt’ from being searched and former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi too said that the ‘law is equal for everybody’.

The 17th CEC wrote on Twitter, “PM’s chopper raid incident is a missed opportunity to restore EC’s Image.” He explained that the Prime Minister has been under the public scanner for repeatedly violating the model code of conduct and Election Commission has repeatedly overlooked it. “This raid could have been used to demonstrate that the law is equal for everybody. In one stroke, the intense criticism against them both would have come crumbling down,” he wrote.

Mohsin, posted as a General Observer, was suspended with immediate effect for acting contrary to the instructions of the Election Commission concerning SPG protectees.

“The suspension of the IAS officer is not only unfortunate but a great missed opportunity to restore not only the image of the EC but also the PM himself. The already ongoing criticism (on both) would now get magnified many times over,” Qureshi added.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties have questioned “What is Modi carrying in the helicopter that he doesn’t want India to see?”

Qureshi continues, “In contrast, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, because of his extremely dignified conduct during a similar raid on his chopper, in front of his eyes, has come out with his stature enhanced. This is the statesmanlike conduct we need from our leaders. Salute Mr Patnaik!”

It is notable to mention here that EC’s flying squad had conducted a check on Naveen Patnaik’s chopper in Rourkela on Tuesday during which Odisha CM cooperated and even thanked the officials after the search.

On the other hand, another video of senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan misbehaving with flying squad officials and threatening them during a copter check in Sambalpur had also gone viral.