New Delhi : The Congress on Monday approached the Election Commission demanding action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent radio address.
The party has alleged that through his address, Modi has “misused government machinery” and “abused authority” in a “blatant violation” of the model code of conduct.
In a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, the party argued that as per guidelines issued by the EC in the past, any broadcast or telecast by political parties on Doordarshan or All India Radio can only be done in the time slots allotted to them through a draw of lots conducted by Prasar Bharati in consultation with EC.
AICC legal department secretary K C Mittal, who lodged the complaint, said Modi’s Mann Ki Baat programme broadcast on October 3 was “part of the election campaign specially planned and designed” to further the interests of the BJP.
The Congress has argued that Modi is the BJP’s star campaigner and its “only face” for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. The complaint further says that the programme was broadcast by “misusing the state machinery” as Modi is campaigning for the BJP and “the tone and tenor of his address is to highlight the political agenda.