New Delhi, 25 April 2024
The Election Commission of India made an announcement on Thursday, stating that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi have allegedly breached the Model Code of Conduct. They are accused of fueling hatred and spreading misleading information during their campaigning activities.
According to the Election Commission, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress Party have exchanged allegations of inciting animosity and fostering divisions among people based on caste, religion, community, or language.
The Election Commission has set a deadline for responses by 11 a.m. on April 29, expecting clarifications from both parties. Additionally, the EC has invoked Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, holding party presidents accountable for regulating prominent campaigners.
The BJP has formally urged the Election Commission to take action against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making false statements about the country’s increasing poverty levels. The complaint lodged by the BJP alleges that Rahul Gandhi has been intentionally creating divisions between the North and South of India based on language and geography, thus disrupting the electoral environment.
Responding in kind, the Congress Party has filed a formal complaint urging the Election Commission to hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi accountable for his actions during campaigning.