Vote for Pulwama’s Soldiers, Urges Modi; Where’s EC, Asks Twitter

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that MCC has now become ‘Modi Code of Conduct’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 9 April, urged first-time voters to dedicate their vote to the soldiers who conducted the Balakot airstrikes and to those who lost their lives in Pulwama. He was speaking at a rally in Latur, Maharashtra.

“I want to ask the first-time voter, can your vote be dedicated to those soldiers who conducted air strikes on Balakot in Pakistan?” he asked. “Can your first vote be dedicated to those soldiers who were killed in the Pulwama attack?”

This appeal did not go down well with many on Twitter, who saw this as a violation of Model Code of Conduct and a desperate attempt to win goodwill ahead of the polls.

Give Us Answers For Pulwama

Public interest lawyer Prashant Bhushan said Modi was accountable for the 40 CRPF jawans who were killed due to intel failure. “What about answers for misadventure at Balakot which didn't hit target, got our MiG shot down and pilot captured?” he tweeted.

What about answers from those who allowed 40 CRPF jawans to be martyred due to intel failure or inaction? What about answers for misadventure at Balakot which didn't hit target, got our MIG shot down& pilot captured? Answers for shooting down our own copter& killing 6 of our men? https://t.co/MdAjJ0ibIo

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 9, 2019

Modi “needs to answer for Pulwama instead of seeking votes in the name of martyrs,” said journalist Rohini Singh.

Modi should be careful seeking votes on the bodies of martyrs because they wouldn’t have died had there not been lapses despite specific intel inputs. He needs to answer for Pulwama instead of seeking votes in the name of martyrs. https://t.co/rcuSRHezzq

— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) April 9, 2019

Journalist Joy Das said people should vote to oust the government whose failure cost CRPF jawans their life. “Remember that Narendra Modi who is now asking for votes in their name was busy shooting for National Geographic channel after Pulwama attack,” he added.

Those who conducted Air Strike are not contesting. But people should vote to oust the Govt whose failure cost CRPF Jawans their life and remember that @narendramodi, who is now asking Votes in their name, was busy shooting for National Geographic channel after Pulwama attack https://t.co/WqnsaxFeXd

— Joy (@Joydas) April 9, 2019

The Twitter handle of Mahila Congress also asked people to dedicate the votes to the defence forces by not letting the BJP come to power again.

18 साल के युवाओं

अपना पहला वोट पुलवामा के शहीदों के नाम दो, जिस सरकार की लापरवाही की वजह से वो शहीद हुए, उनको दोबारा सत्ता में ना आने देना।#AbHogaNYAY #Scared2Debate pic.twitter.com/Vwu0qMpu38

— All India Mahila Congress (@MahilaCongress) April 9, 2019

One Twitter user compared Modi to a ‘vulture’ feasting over dead bodies. “Begging for votes over the dead bodies of our soldiers, is somewhat similar,” he said.

Dear @narendramodi Ji
a ) Generally, vultures are into the business of feasting over dead bodies, begging for votes over the dead bodies of our soldiers, is somewhat similar.
b ) please explain the security lapses, that led to #Pulwama , despite intel inputs. https://t.co/JzUKXMLlxn

— Thakursahab (@65thakursahab) April 9, 2019

EC Draws Flak

There were some criticisms against the Election Commission too for not taking action against the alleged violation of MCC. One Twitter user called the EC ‘Modi ji ki Sena’.

Modi ji is using Sena in his speeches for votes and EC is letting this happen as they have become Modi ji ki Sena.

— Chocobar Jet Lee(Vasooli Bhai) (@Vishj05) April 9, 2019

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said “MCC is Modi Code of Conduct.”

Repeat after me. MCC is Modi Code of Conduct. https://t.co/as8qZmUx4r

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 9, 2019

How the hell is this permissible under the Model code of conduct? Or is it really the Modi code of conduct now? 40 brave men died so you can use them for asking votes?? Who takes the accountability for the intelligent failures which actually lead to their deaths?? https://t.co/NUXNj88mG2

— Sunanda (@YoursLegallyy) April 9, 2019

But isn’t it blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct? I think EC had recently issued an advisory also. @SpokespersonECI https://t.co/zUvRvRDCUi

— Vidya Bhushan Arora (@vibhuarora) April 9, 2019

Academic Ashok Swain said India’s Election Commission should either pack its bags and go home or move its office to the BJP headquarter.

India's Election Commission either should pack its bags and go home or move to its office to the BJP Headquarter. https://t.co/TYl9QrZVrF

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) April 9, 2019

Another Twitter user said that we are not only fighting BJP and Modi. “It is the EC, CBI, ED, ITDept and every govt dept that has been bullied and threatened into submission,” she said.

Losing all hope now. It's not only the BJP and Modi we are fighting. It is the EC, CBI, ED, ITDept and every govt dept that has been bullied and threatened into submission. I hope a really huge meteor destroys all of us.

— LEENA کنفایا (@kunfaaya) April 9, 2019

Begging For Votes Shows Desperation

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee also tagged the Election Commission and said Modi has “crossed all limits of shamelessness”.

Modi has crossed all limits of shamelessness!

He is begging for votes on the name of martyred soldiers. How desperate does one have to be, to ask for votes on the name of people killed in a terrorist attack?

Is this not against model code of conduct, @ECISVEEP ?? pic.twitter.com/vueWHo9T61

— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) April 9, 2019

Journalist Abhisar Sharma said mentioning soldiers and Pulwama despite EC directives shows desperation.

He is brazen. Violating every directive of the EC which has said no mention of soldiers and Pulwama in political speeches. This is desperation too.but we live in times where people dont question theGovt on the massive intel failure called Pulwama that cost lives of our Jawans https://t.co/XNsOZe8NDp

— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) April 9, 2019