The Election Commission has taken cognizance of alleged Model Code of Conduct violations by PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Read Here
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections the Election Commission of India has taken action against PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi over alleged Model Code of Conduct violations. Recently, both the saffron and the grand old parties had raised allegations against each other of causing hatred and division based on religion, caste, community, or language.
The commission has invoked section 77 of the Representation of the People Act and as a first step it held the party president responsible to reign in star campaigners.
The allegations against the PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi were exchanged with the BJP and Congress presidents as a first step and the Commission has sought a response from both the party chiefs by 11 AM on April 29.
“Political parties will have to take primary responsibility for the conduct of their candidates, star campaigners in particular. Campaign speeches by those holding high positions are of more serious consequences,” said the Election Commission.
The BJP on Monday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was making a false claim about the rise in poverty in the country and urged the Election Commission to take “strict action” against him.
Lodging a complaint with the poll panel, the BJP also accused Gandhi of continuing to create a North-South divide in the country on the basis of language and region to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
The Congress approached the poll body on Monday and formally lodged a complaint seeking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The only available remedy compatible with the principle of zero tolerance towards allegations of corrupt practices, is the disqualification of the candidates who try to create a divide between different classes of the citizens of India regardless of the stature or position of that candidate,” the Congress memorandum had said.
The first phase of the seven phase Lok Sabha elections concluded on April 19. The second phase of polls will get underway on April 26. The other phases are scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. Results of all the 543 Lok Sabha seats will be announced on June 4.
(with agency inputs)
Source link
