Stop blatant violations of poll code by BJP: TMC tells Election Commission

Under the watch of the Election Commission, the Model Code of Conduct has now become the Modi Code of Conduct, TMC said

TMC leaders and MPs Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose leave after meeting the Election Commission of India to submit a deputation in connection with the recent developments, outside the Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi on May 14, 2024. | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

The Trinamool Congress on May 14 asked the Election Commission to stop "blatant violations" of the poll code by the BJP and its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi while alleging that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been turned into "Modi Code of Conduct".

After submitting a letter over the matter to the poll panel, the TMC's Rajya Sabha MPs Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose addressed the media and expressed dismay over the "inaction" of the EC against PM Modi over Model Code of Conduct violations.

"(BJP chief) J.P. Nadda was served a notice but there has been absolutely no action taken on our complaints. Instead, PM Modi has become more emboldened in his remarks. He is making promises he has no right to make during elections, announcing financial schemes which his party cannot enact as the ruling party.

"Yet, there seems to be a disregard for the MCC," Mr. Gokhale told reporters outside the EC headquarters here.

Both Ms. Ghose and Mr. Gokhale claimed that PM Modi was not being held accountable for the violations of the poll code.

"Under the watch of the Election Commission, the Model Code of Conduct has now become the Modi Code of Conduct. Any statement made by Mr. Modi goes unchecked and no action is taken against him. This undermines the fairness of our elections," Ms. Ghose said.

Mr. Gokhale said, "We have written to the EC demanding that for the remaining phases of the election, the Model Code of Conduct be strictly enforced, complaints be acted upon, and Prime Minister Modi not be given a clean chit every time he violates election rules."

The TMC's letter to the Election Commission outlines specific instances of alleged violations by the BJP, including false and malicious allegations and appeals for votes based on religion, and divisive statements made by Prime Minister Modi in his rallies.

"The brazen and unabashed comments made by Mr. Modi are not only a deliberate attack on our secular republic but also against the ethos of free and fair electioneering," the letter stated.

"Since many of these breaches of the MCC have been committed by Narendra Modi and the ruling party at the Centre, BJP, the Election Commission has refused to act strongly on the basis of such complaints. In fact, many are compelled to conclude that the MCC has been turned into the Modi Code of Conduct!" it said.

Lok Sabha elections 2024 in pictures | Model Code of Conduct in practice

The statue of a political party leader is covered up in compliance with Model Code of Conduct in Visakhapatnam.

Covered political banners outside AAP office after the Model Code of Conduct was enforced in New Delhi.

Workers remove posters of political leaders in Prayagraj.

Workers removing benners of political leaders from huge hoardings after the Model Code of Conduct was enforced following the announcement of the general election schedule in Visakhapatnam.

Slogans pertaining to election campaign being removed from the walls of government offices by officials in Thrissur.

Police personnel conduct a flag march after the Model Code of Conduct was enforced in Bhopal.

A team of the 'flying squad' of the Election Commission of India searches a vehicle ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, seen on Chepauk in Chennai. These special teams are constituted across India to check and counter the massive flow of freebies, often cash, distributed illegally.

Photos of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi were removed from government offices in Madurai following the implementation of moral code of conduct for Lok Sabha election.

Workers masking the statue of a political leader at Uppaluru village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.

Real-time monitoring of flying squad and static surveillance teams using GPS technology under way at the election control room, in the Ripon building in Chennai.

Greater Chennai Corporation and election workers removing posters of political parties at Kannikapuram in Chennai.

The campaign boards and posters, which were removed following the direction of election commission, have been heaped on the Kottappuram ground of the Thrissur Corporation.

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The letter detailed instances where the TMC had lodged complaints against the BJP for allegedly violating the MCC and urged the poll panel to take immediate and decisive action.

"You are earnestly requested to put a stop to such blatant violation of the MCC by the BJP and its leaders under the aegis of Mr. Modi. Failure to address these concerns would not only undermine the credibility of the electoral process but also erode public trust in the ECI and ultimately violate the basic structure of the Constitution," it added.