Trinamul Congress Calls for Electoral Accountability: Allegations PM Modiji of MCC Violations
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh/15th May 2024
The Trinamul Congress has escalated its concerns regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s purported violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his public addresses, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene and restrain him from perpetuating communal rhetoric that could potentially stoke tensions among religious communities.
Trinamul leaders underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the divisive nature of Modi’s speeches and their potential to sow seeds of discord within the societal fabric. Rajya Sabha MPs representing Trinamul Congress, Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghosh, took decisive action by visiting the ECI office in New Delhi, where they formally submitted a letter outlining their concerns.
In a press briefing following their meeting with ECI officials, Mr. Gokhale lamented the apparent inaction on the part of the electoral body in addressing Modi’s recurrent transgressions of the MCC. Expressing disappointment over the ECI’s perceived reluctance to hold the Prime Minister accountable, Gokhale asserted, “It is unfortunate that the ECI is not taking any action against Mr. Modi, who continues to flout the MCC by speaking religious and hate speeches.”
Highlighting a specific instance of Modi’s contentious rhetoric, Gokhale referenced a recent communal address delivered in Rajasthan, which reportedly elicited widespread condemnation, prompting approximately 20,000 citizens to petition the ECI for redressal. Despite the fervent appeals for intervention, Gokhale lamented the ECI’s inert response, insinuating that the electoral body had become complacent, effectively metamorphosing into what he disparagingly termed as the “Modi Code of Conduct.”
Echoing Gokhale’s sentiments, Sagarika Ghosh raised concerns regarding Modi’s proclivity for making grandiose announcements pertaining to financial schemes, ostensibly flouting the tenets of the MCC. Ghosh emphasized the impropriety of such actions, citing Modi’s recent pledge to provide a financial package dubbed “Lakshmir Bhandar” worth Rs 3,000 to women, as a glaring example of MCC violations.
In light of these troubling developments, Trinamul Congress issued a fervent plea to the ECI, urging proactive measures to curb Modi’s alleged transgressions, particularly in the context of the impending phases of the electoral process. Ghosh implored the ECI to exercise vigilance and caution Modi against further breaches of the MCC, admonishing what she perceived as a lenient stance toward the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Trinamul leaders voiced apprehensions regarding the perceived asymmetry in the application of electoral regulations, insinuating preferential treatment afforded to the BJP at the expense of impartiality and fairness. Casting aspersions on the ECI’s integrity, Trinamul representatives contended that the electoral body had seemingly abdicated its responsibility to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process, thereby emboldening Modi’s transgressions.
The imbroglio surrounding Modi’s alleged MCC violations underscores broader concerns regarding electoral accountability and the imperative of safeguarding the democratic ethos from partisan encroachments. As the electoral landscape continues to be marred by acrimony and polarization, the onus falls squarely on regulatory authorities to uphold the principles of fairness and integrity, thereby ensuring a level playing field for all political stakeholders.
