The Election Commission (EC) has stood by its decision to defer the release of the PM Narendra Modi biopic until the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19.
The Election Commission (EC) submitted its report in a sealed cover on the biopic “PM Narendra Modi” starring Vivek Oberoi to the Supreme Court on Monday.
According to a source familiar with the poll body’s report to the apex Court, it said the officials, who watched the film, opined that there is high probability that a particular political party will gain electoral mileage if the film is permitted to be released during the ongoing polls.
EC stands by its decision
“The committee is of the considered view that the public screening of the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’ during the period of model code of conduct will tilt the electoral balance of the particular political party, therefore, the public screening of the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi’ should not be allowed till last date of poll on May 19 in the ongoing elections,” the report said.
“Eulogising of the character Narendra Modi is very clear right through the movie. More than biography, it is hagiography. There are several scenes depicting a major opposition party as corrupt and showing them in poor light. Their leaders have been depicted in such a manner that their identification is clear and obvious to the viewers.” it added.
The Supreme Court will decide on EC’s report on Friday. The poll panel submitted its decision through senior advocate Rakesh Divedi to a bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi.
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PM Narendra Modi, featuring Vivek Oberoi in the lead role, was slated to hit the theatres on April 11, the same day that the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections kicked off. However, on April 10, the EC stayed the release of the biopic till the polling ends, on the grounds that it disturbs the level-playing field.