Alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Saturday as a 'poll code violation', Congress leader and former MLA Anil Akkara has approached the Election Commission of India. Akkara alleged that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was violated by the PM by using a government-controlled broadcaster to target the Opposition after women's reservation Bill was defeated in the Parliament.
In his complaint, Akkara pointed out that MCC is in force till May 6, with Assembly elections currently underway in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.
Despite the assembly elections in progress, the PM delivered a televised address through Doordarshan, a government-controlled platform, and it is a clear violation of election norms, Akkara said.
By naming political parties contesting in poll-bound states during his address, Akkara alleged that PM Modi misused official machinery and his position. The speech is a "grave breach of election protocols," he said.
He urged the ECI to conduct a detailed investigation and initiate legal proceedings.
CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar also raised similar allegations and wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to take "prompt" and "sincere" actions.
"The use of publicly funded platforms for what is essentially a political speech constitutes a grave breach of electoral norms," said Kumar.
PM Modi addressed the nation on Saturday at 8:30 pm following the defeat of the women's reservation Bill in the Parliament. Modi criticised Opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, TMC and the Samajwadi Party. He warned the Congress and its allies of severe punishment from the women for the "sin of foeticide."
Modi apologised to the women and said the government may have lost the vote, but it will never give up its efforts to empower women.
"The Congress and its allies have committed foeticide of the honest effort in front of the entire country in the House. Parties like the Congress, DMK, TMC and the SP are guilty of this foeticide," he said.
