Congress slams delay in EC action against BJP leaders

The Congress party on Saturday slammed the Election Commission over delay in action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah over allegations of violation of model code of conduct.

The Congress listed out 37 instances of alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Modi and Shah over the past six weeks since the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections through “polarising speeches, seeking votes over the sacrifice of Armed Forces and taking out impromptu roadshows after casting vote".

"We are astonished and compelled to say that the Model Code of Conduct has become the ‘The Modi Code of Conduct’,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters here.

He questioned how the Election Commission could turn a blind eye to Modi and Shah's conduct.

"Has the Election Commission wittingly or unwittingly, inadvertently or otherwise become an Election Omission," Singhvi asked recalling that the Congress party has made at least 15 representations to the poll authority flagging violations by Modi and Shah.

Singhvi cautioned that the Congress reserved the right to approach the courts seeking action over model code violation.

“The EC has taken action against several leaders for violating the poll code based on our complaints. We appreciate that. Since the precedent has been set, why not take action against Modi and Shah,” he asked.

Singhvi said elections had been fought after the wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, but the Congress never tried to derive political mileage out of it.

"Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee acted in a statesman-like manner when Kargil war happened," the Congress spokesman said referring to the 1999 Lok Sabha elections.