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EC rejects plea to carry mediapersons on PM's aircraft

The Election Commission today clarified that the prohibition on carrying mediapersons in the prime minister's aircraft during elections had applied to his predecessors as well. In a statement today, the commission said it had taken note of press reports in this regard.

"The commission wishes to make it clear that these instructions are of long standing and have been applied to successive prime ministers," it said. Vajpayee's predecessor, I K Gujral, was prevented from taking his wife in the official aircraft during an election tour.

"The commission is bound to maintain a consistent stand, which is well known to all concerned," it added.

The Prime Minister's Office had recently sought the Election Commission's views on the prime minister taking mediapersons on his official aircraft during his election campaigning. While turning down the PMO's request, the EC said that only a team from Doordarshan could accompany the prime minister in his official aircraft.

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