SC Issues Notice to EC Over Poll Code Violations by Modi, Shah

The apex court has also agreed to hear Congress’ plea on Modi and Shah’s MCC violation on Tuesday, 30 April.

File photo of BJP president Amit Shah(right) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi(left). 

(Photo: Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 30 April, issued notice to Election Commission of India after hearing Congress MP Sushmita Dev's petition against PM Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct. The next date of hearing has been fixed on 2 May.

Dev’s petition claimed –

The Congress has moved over 40 representations to the EC since the proclamation of the Model Code of Conduct over the conduct of Modi and Shah, including over their speeches on communal lines and invoking the Pulwama attacks.

The petitioner says this failure to respond to the representations is a threat to the level playing field which the EC is meant to ensure, and effectively means there is a separate set of rules for Modi and Shah, and other politicians.

The petition also complains about the roadshow conducted by the prime minister on 23 April.

A report in The Indian Express, points out that the full Election Commission, which comprises of CEC Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra, have not had a single deliberation on the alleged poll violation by PM Modi since 5 April.

‘Election Omission’

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged that the two leaders have “cheated” on the issue of level playing field for all parties during elections and questioned the “silence of mega policeman” Election Commission.

"We have a right to approach the courts seeking action over model code violations... we can exercise that option ... the mega policeman has turned a blind eye," Singhvi told a press conference, adding silence can be construed as approval.

Taking a jibe at Election Commission, he called it “Election Omission” and wondered whether Modi and Shah are outside the ambit of the model code of conduct, which he dubbed as “Modi code of conduct”.

He claimed that the two leaders have violated the poll code broadly under three categories: polarisation of votes, invoking armed forces in campaigns and taking out rallies on election day.

"The EC has taken taken action against several leaders for violating the poll code based on our complaints. We appreciate that. Since the precedent has been set, why not take action against Modi and Shah," he said.

(With inputs from PTI and The Indian Express)