Congress has problems with PM Modi's Maun Vrat, too! Party complaints to EC, claim it is a direct violation of MCC

New Delhi, May 30: In what can be called a blatant claim, the Congress on Wednesday submitted a complaint to Election Commission of India demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to meditate at Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari from May 30 to June 1 should either be postponed or its broadcast be banned in view of rules under the Model Code of Conduct for elections.

A delegation of Congress leaders led by national spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi met ECI officials and submitted the complaint.

Speaking to mediapersons after submitting the complaint, Singhvi said, “We told the ECI that no one is allowed to campaign directly or indirectly during the silence period. We have no issue with some person or leader doing anything… someone observing a vow of silence. But there should be no indirect campaigning during the silence period. The honourable prime minister has announced that he will go on a silence vow from May 30 evening… you know that the period of silence starts from May 30 morning 7 am, and it will continue till June 1.”

“These are ways that you are campaigning or are broadcasting yourself through channels and print media. We have kept two very simple points before the ECI. Either the PM starts this 24-48 hours later. After the June 1 evening, he can do it. And if he insists that he will start it tomorrow then, a ban must be imposed on its broadcasting on print and visual media. He is himself a candidate in the last phase. This kind of broadcast should not be allowed,” said Singhvi.

Modi is contesting the Varanasi Lok Sabha polls, which will go to the polls on June 1.

Meanwhile, the TMC also raised the issue and said, “In case the BJP forgot, MCC stands for Model Code of Conduct and not Modi’s Code of Conduct! Smt Mamata Banerjee’s declaration is clear: any attempt to broadcast PM Modi’s meditation on television will be met with swift and decisive action, as it blatantly violates the MCC!”

The Congress delegation also raised with the EC the issues of “indecent ads” allegedly being published by ‘BJP for India’ official handles, and use of “doctored” videos on social media.