Congress moves Election Commission against PM Modi comparing its manifesto with Muslim League: ‘calculated and malicious comments’

“The comments made by Shri Narendra Modi are in direct and complete violation of the Model Code of Conduct that is presently in effect and also constitute offences punishable under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (Section 153). By propagating false, uninformed and vexatious claims, Shri Narendra Modi has attempted to evoke an emotional response from the electorate by using the horrors of Partition in a bid to polarise voters. Such instances of calculated and malicious comments by Shri Narendra Modi and the BJP are nothing out of the ordinary but rather a part of the larger party-wide concerted effort of arousing communal discord to secure a larger vote share,” the Congress alleged.

It added that the PM’s remarks also endangered the well-being of Congress supporters as he made the public believe that the Congress wishes to “divide India”.

“Hence, considering the gravity of the situation this Hon’ble Commission cannot turn a blind eye to the comments made by Shri Narendra Modi… As a creature of the Constitution, the Hon’ble Commission’s allegiance to the Constitution is supreme. The public is extremely watchful of the actions taken by this Hon’ble Commission during the election period. In order for the public to have continued public trust, it is extremely necessary that this Hon’ble Commission must be stern and swift in taking action against Shri Narendra Modi’s conduct in raising communal tensions in the Indian society,” the Congress complaint, which was signed by Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, said.

The complaint was one of six submitted by a delegation of Congress leaders on Monday, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

“This is the time for the Election Commission to demonstrate its independence by ensuring a level playing field for all parties. We live in hope that the Hon’ble Commission will uphold its Constitutional mandate. For our part, we will continue to pursue all avenues, political and legal, to expose this regime,” Ramesh said.

In another complaint, the party sought action against the BJP for videos of the PM with Defence personnel being used in the campaign. The Congress cited Union Minister Smriti Irani’s post on X on April 7, which had one such video. It added that this was not the first time.

Earlier, on March 18, the Congress had informed the EC about an advertisement of the PM that had defence forces.

The Congress said the repeated use of images and videos of Defence personnel was a violation of the EC’s 2013 and 2019 advisories, where it said that photos of defence personnel and functions should not be used in campaigning.

“The continuous use of defence forces in political advertisements by the Bharatiya Janata Party, despite this Hon’ble Commission’s repeated advisories and instruction on the said issue, shows the utter disregard of the BJP Party towards this Hon’ble Commission and its pursuit of conducting free and fair elections,” the Congress said.

The Congress also lodged complains about the life-size cut-outs of Modi around Delhi University and Doordarshan’s broadcast of The Kerala Story, “a work of fiction that vilifies a religious community”.