Congress to meet EC over 'PM Narendra Modi' biopic; to request film be postponed till end of elections: Sources

The Congress party is set to hold a meeting with the Election Commission over the upcoming release of PM Narendra Modi's biopic - PM Narendra Modi. 

Sources have told Republic TV that party's national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, former Union Minister Kapil Sibal and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi will request that the movie's release be postponed up until the end of the elections, ie May 19.

Further, the Congress is alleging that the film, which will be released on April 5, is violating the model code of conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha 2019 polls. In this regard, the party representatives will meet the EC on Monday.

This comes just over a week after party's student wing of Goa, National Students' Union of India, had written a letter to the EC seeking a temporary ban on the film two days before and during the elections.

"The NSUI Goa writes to you demanding: ban of the movie in theatres in states during the 'election silence' period that is two days prior to the day of voting and ban of the movie in the Lok Sabha Constituency where the Prime Minister would be contesting," the letter read.

It further added, "The NSUI Goa strongly believes that a movie on the BJP Prime Minister, who has failed miserably, is nothing but a propaganda by the BJP to influence the public during the model code of conduct without including the expenditure incurred for the movie in the election expenditure of Narendra Modi who will be contesting as a Member of Parliament."

READ: Congress Requests EC To Ban PM Narendra Modi Biopic During Lok Sabha Election Phase

The Model Code of Conduct came into effect from March 10 across the state after the Election Commission announced the dates for elections that are to be held in seven phases from April 11, while the results are to be announced on May 23.

Directed by Omung Kumar, the biopic on India's incumbent Prime Minister features Boman Irani and Vivek Oberoi in pivotal roles. It was expected to release on April 12, but given the elections were due to begin a day earlier, the release was preponed to April 5.