The Election Commission of India on Wednesday, 3 April, issued a show-cause notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his ‘Modi ji ki Sena’ remark made during a poll rally at Ghaziabad on Sunday.
According to news agency PTI, the sources in the poll panel said that Adityanath has violated the EC’s advisory of keeping armed forces away from political campaign.
The code came into force on 10 March when the poll body announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls beginning 11 April. While this is just one incident, let’s take a look at other MCC violations that have happened.
EC Notice to Yogi on 'Modi Ji Ki Sena' Comment
The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his 'Modi ji ki Sena' remark made during a speech. The Commission has asked him to file a reply by 5 April.
Adityanath, who addressed election meetings in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida on Sunday, had lashed out at the Congress for what he called was its “soft approach towards terrorism and terrorists”.
“Congress ke log aatankwadiyon ko biryani khilate thay aur Modiji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai. (Congress leaders would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi's army gives them bullets and bombs),” Yogi had said.
Congress Moves EC Over PM Modi Biopic
A Congress delegation comprising of Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, RN Singh and Randeep Singh Surjewala moved the Election Commission on 25 March to stall the release of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic on the grounds that it is a politically-motivated film aimed at getting extra mileage for the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.
Sibal alleged that three of the producers belonged to the BJP and actor Vivek Oberoi was also from the ruling party. Meanwhile, the Delhi Chief Electoral Office said it was awaiting a reply from the makers of the biopic after it felt that the film was violating the Model Code of Conduct.
Sambit Patra Accused of Using Lord Jagannath During Campaign
BJP spokesman and party nominee from Puri Lok Sabha seat Sambit Patra carried an idol of Lord Jagannath in a vehicle during a rally following which the Congress lodged a complaint with the state chief electoral officer (CEO) saying Patra used Lord Jagannath for political benefit and it is violation of the model code of conduct.
The BJP leader, however, denied the charges saying someone gifted him the idol during the rally and he only paid his respect to it.
In a petition submitted with the CEO, the Congress said, “In an election rally, Patra showed and held the idol of Lord Jagannath in his hand and used the photographs of the deity in his social media account.”
EC Notice to Railways, Civil Aviation Ministries Over PM's Photos on Tickets
The Election Commission reportedly issued a show cause notice to the Railways and Civil Aviation ministries over the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pictures on rail tickets and Air India boarding passes as prima facie it violates the model code of conduct.
Sources in the poll panel told PTI that prima facie the railways and Air India have violated the model code of conduct, and referred to clause VII of the code which states that “issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power shall be scrupulously avoided.”
TMC Leader Moves EC Against Babul Supriyo
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee accused BJP candidate Babul Supriyo of maligning his image by leveling false allegations against him henceforth violating the Model Code of Conduct.
In a letter to the EC, Banerjee alleged that the Supriyo made a public statement against him which was “vindictive”. He filed a complaint against Supriyo on 20 March.
Prakash Raj Booked For Violating MCC
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Actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj has been booked for allegedly violating the model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, reported Deccan Herald. The popular actor is contesting from the Bengaluru Central seat as an independent candidate as previously declared.
The complaint pertains to Prakash Raj using a mic to campaign at a public event on 12 March without permission after the model code of conduct was put in effect.
BJP Accuses AAP, Congress of Violating MCC
The Delhi unit of the BJP accused the AAP and the Congress of violating the model code of conduct and sought action against them.
Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta urged the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi to ensure that strict action is taken to discourage frequent violations of the code.
He alleged that the Congress has released a “highly objectionable video” on its Twitter handle on 22 March, in which they had used “abusive language for the prime minister.”
Gupta also lodged a complaint with the office of Delhi chief electoral officer over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's letters “aimed at winning voters highlighting the achievements of the Delhi Jal Board” addressed to consumers that were supposed to be sent along with water bills.
(With inputs from PTI, Deccan Herald.)
Mamata Charges BJP With Using Lord Ram's Name to Win Polls
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of playing the religion card and using Lord Ram’s name to win elections, though it failed to build the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.
Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said she never used religion to win polls but respects all irrespective of their faith or caste.
"You (the BJP) use religion for elections. You contest elections using the name of (Lord) Ram but could not build one Ram Mandir in five years," she said while addressing a programme organised by the Marwari community.
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