Belagavi: KPCC campaign committee chief HK Patil said on Friday that the Election Commission should disqualify Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting the Lok Sabha elections for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of Belagavi Congress candidate Dr S V Sadhunavar’s nomination filing rally, Patil said that by addressing the country about the launch of an anti-satellite missile, the PM violated the model code.The EC must take stringent action against Modi by banning him from contesting, he said.“Was it needed to test the anti-satellite weapon when the model code is in force? Even after conducting the test, what was the need for the PM to address the country? Why was it not left to the scientists? The live telecast of Modi’s political speech on Doordarshan and All India Radio is the height of misusing government institutions. Modi has been misusing all prominent investigating agencies like IT, ED and CBI,” said Patil.Commenting on the income tax raids on people associated with JD(S), Patil said conducting raids on the residences of opposition leaders during elections was nothing but an attempt to damage their image and stopping them from campaigning.“Such attempts are dangerous for democracy and the Modi government is trying to trouble opposition leaders and create fear in the country,” he added.Meanwhile, Patil said AICC chief Rahul Gandhi will launch the joint campaign of the Congress-JD(S) in Bengaluru on March 31 in the presence of JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda. District in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi was present.

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