NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday petitioned the Election Commission searching for speedy motion towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his appeals to Karnataka voters “in violation” of the mannequin code, and mentioned it was “a litmus test” for the ballot physique’s capability and willingness to implement legal guidelines. In a prolonged criticism to the chief election commissioner, Congress basic secretary in command of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala requested the fee whether or not it would stay a “mute and helpless spectator” or fulfil its constitutional obligation and act towards the prime minster.
“Do the laws apply to prime minister or not and if ECI has the capacity and willingness to enforce such mandate or remain a helpless bystander? Truly a litmus test for ECI,” Surjewala requested in a tweet. The Congress additionally raised objections to numerous feedback made by Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and different senior BJP leaders. “One thing is extremely clear…(they) consider themselves above the law and the Constitution and presume that the ECI is either intimidated by the high offices they hold or that the ECI is too weak to act against them or hold them accountable for blatant and repeated violations of the model code…As well as various other electoral laws,” the celebration wrote to the ballot panel.
The Congress raised objections to Prime Minister Modi’s appeals to the voters of Karnataka after the marketing campaign ended Monday night and mentioned these had been “flagrant and defiant violations” of the mannequin code of conduct. The polling shall be held on Wednesday. Making a powerful pitch for the return of the BJP authorities in Karnataka a day earlier than polling, Prime Minister Modi mentioned in considered one of his appeals that the love he obtained within the state over the previous few days has been unparalleled and it has strengthened the resolve to make it the primary throughout all sectors.
In its criticism, the Congress mentioned, “…With all humility that this is a litmus test for this Hon’ble Election Commission of India (ECI) to exercise its constitutional duty under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and hold those in power accountable. The alternative is clear. They will be no level-playing field and instead there will be ‘free for all’, with those in power never being held accountable either to the ECI or to the rule of law.”
“An unwritten but accepted norm would be that the ECI’s mandate extends only to opposition parties and not to the PM and his colleagues,” it charged.
Sharing the criticism on social media, Surjewala mentioned, “Our Complaint to ECI on flagrant and defiant violations by Prime Minister Modi urging them to take action or be historically remembered for inaction and diluting the authority of ECI forever.”
The celebration mentioned the prime minister issued two video messages to Karnataka voters because the marketing campaign ended — one after 11 pm on Monday and one other Tuesday. “If Prime Minister flouts electoral laws and code of conduct for elections with impunity, brazenly and in utter disregard of ECI directives…If Prime Minister flouts the ‘silence period’…If Prime Minister attempts to influence voters for electoral gains during the prohibited period, should the ECI remain a mute and helpless spectator or act on its constitutional duty…,” Surjewala tweeted.
Forty-eight hours earlier than the top of polling are thought-about the silence interval. The celebration demanded that the Election Commission provoke applicable proceedings towards Modi, Shah, Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP. “It may be mentioned that if convicted under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, these leaders will stand disqualified from their respective membership in the Parliament as well as the legislative assembly,” in accordance with the Congress criticism.
“We hope the commission treats this matter with the attention that it deserves and initiates immediate action to take the issue forward,” the criticism despatched to the CEC mentioned. In his appeals, Prime Minister Modi sought blessings of the folks of Karnataka within the mission to make the state the primary within the nation.
“Dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream. Your resolve is my resolve. When we come together and set our minds to a goal, no force in the world can stop us,” he mentioned on Twitter. In an enchantment to “brothers and sisters” of the state, he sought their blessings within the mission of constructing Karnataka the primary state within the nation, Modi mentioned.
“My appeal is for the bright future of Karnataka. It is for the bright future of your family, especially the younger generations,” he mentioned. Asked in regards to the prime minister’s enchantment, Congress chief Abhishek Singhvi mentioned, “I have stopped talking about MCC violation, but one should ask who are the accused for violating the MCC. If the prime minister is violating the model code, then one should not even talk about it as nothing will happen and no notice will be issued. Even if we take our delegation, it will be kept pending and no action will be taken.”
“The writing on the wall is known to them. They know they are losing. They know we are forming the government…. Everything you hear and say are signs of desperation…. So, please believe me when I say, all this is shadow boxing,” he mentioned. On one other query on whether or not there was any bias, he mentioned, one thing should be carried out however one thing can’t be carried out with constitutional establishments. “They are the ones who have to act. We have gone, I have led delegations (to EC) more than once in the recent past.”
“…It is a sad state where such one-sided systems are functioning in the heat of the election, completely one sided and, I think, it is very important for this hallowed institution to restore its status by taking concrete action on a level basis, on a non-uneven basis,” Singhvi instructed reporters. The Congress has alleged that the Election Commission didn’t act on its a number of complaints demanding motion towards BJP leaders. It has additionally accused the EC of “bias” and treating the opposition celebration and the ruling dispensation in a different way.
