ECI pulls up BJP, Congress over religious, casteist poll campaign
With two phases of Lok Sabha elections left to go, the Election Commission of India on Wednesday came down heavily on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the main opposition party—the Congress—over the poll speeches by their leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi. The commission flagged the use of religious and caste-based rhetoric during election campaigns. Notably, today's directives do not mention any specific leader's name.
ECI's letter to Nadda, Kharge
The commission has directed BJP President JP Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to issue formal notes to their star campaigners, instructing them to correct their discourse, exercise care, and maintain decorum. "India's socio-cultural milieu is an enduring preserve...cannot be made a casualty to elections," the ECI added.
Align campaign methods with India's sensitive fabric: ECI to BJP
In its letter to Nadda, the poll body urged the BJP, "as the ruling party," to align its campaign methods with the "sensitive fabric of India." The commission directed the party to ensure that all star campaigners refrain from making statements prohibited by the Model Code of Conduct. It added that no candidate or campaigner should engage in activities that could aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred, or cause tension between different castes, communities, religious, or linguistic groups.
Don't use defense forces for political propaganda: ECI to Congress
The commission's letter to Kharge instructed him to ensure Congress star campaigners refrain from using the activities of the defense forces in political propaganda and avoid making divisive statements about the socio-economic composition of the forces. He was also asked to direct star campaigners not to make statements suggesting that the Constitution of India may be abolished or sold.
ECI flags 'plummeting' quality of campaign
"Commission's unprecedented orders to BJP and INC have been issued in the wake of plummeting quality of campaigning led by their star campaigners," the ECI said. Earlier, both parties filed complaints against each other's leaders with the ECI. The poll body issued notices and requested responses to the allegations. In its latest directives, the commission rejected the defences provided by the two parties.
