The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Indian National Congress has moved the Election Commission, alleging misuse of state resources for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election campaign. A delegation of Congress leaders met the poll panel and filed complaints against “Modi Parivaar” and “Modi ki Guarantee” advertisements, seeking their immediate removal and action against those responsible.
The Congress objected to advertisements invoking the 2G spectrum allocation issue, alleging that the BJP is pursuing a decade-old narrative that has been discredited through judicial processes. The party demanded the removal of these advertisements and action against their authors and publishers.
Regarding the ‘Modi Parivaar’ advertisement, the Congress alleged that it highlights the misuse of state resources for a veiled campaign advertisement. “We have raised objections over advertisements on trains, petrol pumps, bus stands, etc. with PM Modi’s picture as part of their (BJP’s) election campaigning,” said Congress leader Salman Khurshid.
The party’s memorandum stated, “The brazen use of the armed forces violates multiple directives of the ECI. The fact that the Ministry of I&B is being compelled to produce and broadcast the same also needs to be addressed. We seek the removal of the advertisement and action against the guilty parties.”
The Congress also demanded a probe into an unsolicited letter being circulated on social media, purportedly from the Prime Minister himself, questioning how the official letterhead of the PMO can be used for obvious campaigning material.
Furthermore, the party urged the Election Commission to prevent the circulation of any poll campaign material through the ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’ initiative, as it amounts to misuse of state machinery for political campaigns.
The Congress also complained against the BJP’s advertisements on the Delhi Metro with the tagline “Modi ki Guarantee” and sought their removal, along with all ads carrying images of the Prime Minister from government bodies, offices, and petrol pumps for the duration of the elections.
The party has urged the poll panel to issue directions for the immediate removal of all such government hoardings, advertisements, etc., displaying the images of the Prime Minister, Union ministers, or any individual with political allegiance, and to direct that no such advertisements should be issued in newspapers and other media at the cost of public exchequer.
Additionally, the Congress highlighted “vile and obscene” posts targeting a senior Congress leader from the official social media handle of the BJP, seeking strict action against the authors and publishers for violations of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act.
The Congress Party’s complaints to the Election Commission aim to ensure a level playing field and prevent the alleged misuse of state resources and machinery for electoral campaigning.