Taking a different approach for the model code of conduct violations by leaders of political parties, the Election Commission of India on Thursday wrote to the presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress saying that while the individual star campaigner would continue to remain responsible for speeches made, the Commission will address party President/Head of the political party, on case-to-case basis.
While the election commission did not name Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in their notices, the response from the poll body came on complaints against the two leaders.
In a letter to BJP President JP Nadda, the ECI attached the complaints filed against PM Modi by Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, on April 21, and Communist Party of India, on April 23.
“You are also directed, as President of the National Party, to bring to the notice of all your star campaigners to set high standards of political discourse and observe provisions of MCC in letter and spirit,” the ECI said to Nadda, seeking his comments on the same by 11 am on April 29.
The ECI said that as a national party, they are “expected to be the standard bearer in political and campaign discourse” and as such should also set high standards of compliance of the model code of conduct.
The letter was issued as the Commission is in receipt of representation from political parties alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by speeches made during campaigning by “some of your star campaigners”, adding that “these speeches are alleged to be in violation of MCC”.
The three parties wrote to the ECI on the speech of the Prime Minister that he delivered on April 21 in Rajasthan.
Congress Gets Notice For Comments by Rahul Gandhi
Based on a complaint filed by the BJP, the ECI issued a similar notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge seeking a response by 11 am on April 29.
The poll body attached a BJP letter, dated April 19, that said Rahul Gandhi violated model code in his speech in Kottayam in Kerala on April 18.
ECI Notice
The poll body, in the two notices, said that in view of the foregoing and the plenary power of the political parties to nominate or withdraw the star campaigner’s status with associated responsibility and authority to control their star campaigners, the Commission has taken a view that while the individual star campaigner would continue to remain responsible for speeches made, the Commission will address party President/Head of the political party, on case-to-case basis.
“…yours is a National Party and is therefore expected to be the standard bearer in political and campaign discourse and as such should also set high standards of compliance of the model code of conduct,” it said.
This is the first notice to BJP President Nadda for an alleged violation by his party member, even though a showcause notice was issued to BJP leader Dilip Ghosh for “insulting, offensive and derogatory remarks” against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On April 1, Ghosh was warned for his comments. Nadda was marked a copy of the ECI’s action against Ghosh.
The poll body asked Nadda to “issue specific advisory to all party functionaries involved in election campaign and in interactions in public domain not to commit such type of violation as in the instant case, besides following the Model Code of Conduct in letter and spirit so as to not trigger a chain reaction of similar comments vitiating the election campaign”.
The same day, a similar warning was issued to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for her comments against actor and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut. Kharge was sent a copy with a similar demand raise from Nadda.
In addition, on April 9, Kharge was issued a notice after Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala was served a showcause notice for his “undignified, vulgar and uncivilised” comments against BJP MP and Lok Sabha candidate Hema Malini.
In the notice to Kharge, the poll body said it has taken serious note of the repeated violations being made by senior political functionaries of Indian National Congress and directed that the steps taken by the party to ensure strict compliance of the Commission’s advisories relating to honour and dignity of women during public discourse.
“ECI demands action from INC President on ensuring respectful public discourse towards women by party leaders and functionaries; reiterates that the election campaign can not be allowed to become a platform for any kind of dishonor to women,” the ECI asked Kharge.
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