PM Modi's address violated Model Code of Conduct: CPI, CPI(M) in letter to CEC

In a letter to CEC, CPI Rajya Sabha floor leader P Sandosh Kumar said any failure to take cognisance of such an instance risks signalling institutional complicity and eroding public confidence in the impartiality of the Election Commission.

New Delhi: CPI on Sunday approached the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "political" address to the nation in the midst of Assembly elections by "using state resources", claiming that it was violation of Model Code of Conduct.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, CPI Rajya Sabha floor leader P Sandosh Kumar said any failure to take cognisance of such an instance risks signalling institutional complicity and eroding public confidence in the impartiality of the Election Commission.

He claimed that it was "a serious violation" of the Model Code of Conduct currently in force in five states, as the address to the nation by Modi on Sunday was, "by all objective assessment, political in nature".

"It contained partisan assertions, selective narratives, and direct attempts at influencing public opinion on a matter that is under active political contestation. What is even more concerning is that this address was broadcast on national public broadcasters such as Doordarshan and Sansad TV," he said.

"The use of state resources and publicly funded platforms for disseminating what is essentially a political speech constitutes a grave breach of electoral norms. It undermines the level playing field that the EC is constitutionally mandated to uphold during the period when the MCC is in operation," he said.

He urged the EC to "prompt and sincere" action, initiate an inquiry and ensure accountability so that the sanctity of the electoral process is preserved.

In his address to the nation on the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Modi attacked Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK and Samajwadi Party for their stand on the draft law on delimitation for early implementation of women's quota.