EC not acting with any firmness against BJP: CPM to CEC

The CPI(M) on Tuesday sought to find fault with the Election Commission, saying it had not acted against complaints against BJP and its leadership "with any firmness" and appeared to have let Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath "lightly" for his comments on 'Modi Ki Sena'.

The party's missive came in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora while complaining against Narendra Modi's campaign speech in Maharashtra on Tuesday where he asked first time voters to exercise their franchise in favour of those who conducted the air strike in Pakistan's Balakot against terrorists.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Nilotpal Basu said they were drawing his attention with "deep anguish" to the "latest violation" of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Modi where he has violated the specific EC direction to refrain from invoking the armed forces for seeking votes.

"Today, April 9, he (Modi) has asked first time voters to dedicate their votes to those who carried out the air strike in Balakot. He stated: 'Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the airstrike?', while appealing to first time voters at a poll rally in Lathur in Maharashtra. We are appending herewith media reports to this effect," he wrote.

He also complained against Assam Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma's comment that the BJP did not need votes from those wearing 'dhothis and lungis'. He was alluding to linguistic and religious minorities in the statem Basu claimed.

Basu then went on to write, "We have in the past brought such blatant violations of the BJP and its leadership to your notice. However, the Commission, in its wisdom, has not dealt with such acts with any firmness. Reportedly, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh was treated ‘lightly’ for his obnoxious reference to 'Modi Ka Sena'."

The CPI(M) written a series of letters against BJP leaders, including against Modi and Adityanath. on alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct after the elections were announced on March 10.

After receiving complaints against Adityananth, the EC had expressed displeasure against his remarks on 'Modi ki Sena' in reference to Indian military and wanted him to refrain from such expressions in the future.

Despite complaints, the EC had said Modi did not violate model code when he addressed the country to announce India achieving the capability to destroy satellites in low-earth orbit. Such incidents had not gone well with the Oppositon.

The Election Commission had earlier issued advisories to political parties asking them to desist from using armed forces in campaigns. It had also disapproved of certain BJP leaders using the picture of Wing Commander Abhinandan, who was captured by Pakistan Army and later released, in posters.