Government needs no clearance for making security-related announcements: EC sources
What's the story
After PM Narendra Modi announced the success of India's Mission Shakti space operation only two weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, sources in the Election Commission said the government doesn't require the election body's permission for making security-related announcements. This comes amid Opposition leaders' statements targeting the government over Mission Shakti's announcement, saying it violates the EC's Model Code of Conduct. Here's more.
Mamata's attack
WB CM Mamata Banerjee targets PM Modi over Mission Shakti
After PM Modi's announcement, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee congratulated DRDO but attacked the Prime Minister in a series of tweets for the "drama and publicity mongering." "India's Mission Programme is world-class for many many years. We are always proud of our scientists, @DRDO_India , other research & space organizations," she tweeted, adding the space research, management, and development were a continuous process.
Tweets
Announcement is yet another limitless drama, tweets Mamata Banerjee
Mamata also tweeted: "Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything. Credit to those who really deserve it, our scientists & researchers." "Today's announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election. This is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct," she added.
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Mamata to lodge complaint with the EC
Mamata said she would lodge a complaint against BJP with the EC for violating the Model Code of Conduct that kicks in the day election schedule is announced. "It seems [like] a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat," she said.
Twitter Post
Take a look at WB CM Mamata Banerjee's tweets
Research, space management development are a continuous process over the years. Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything. Credit to those who really deserve it, our scientists researchers. 2/4
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 27, 2019
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Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits: Mamata
There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government past its expiry date. It seems a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat. We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission. 4/4
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 27, 2019
RaGa's Tweet
Rahul Gandhi congratulates DRDO, mocks PM Modi on Twitter
Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to congratulate the DRDO for the success of Mission Shakti. He, however, targeted PM Modi, wishing him a "very happy World Theatre Day" suggesting the Prime Minister has excellent acting skills. "Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work. I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day," he tweeted.
Twitter Post
Here's what Rahul Gandhi tweeted
Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 27, 2019
I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day.
About
India now one of the world's space superpowers: PM Modi
PM Modi earlier announced that with the success of Mission Shakti, India has become one of the world's space superpowers. He said the country successfully tested an anti-satellite (A-SAT) weapon, shooting down a live satellite on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which was a predetermined target. He added India is only the fourth country after the US, Russia, and China to do so.
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Announcement comes 2 weeks before the Lok Sabha polls
PM Modi announced Mission Shakti's success only two weeks ahead of the General Election from 11 April. "India has entered its name as an elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon, A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit," he said.
Twitter Post
#Watch PM Modi's address on the success of Mission Shakti
An important message to the nation. Watch. https://t.co/0LEOATgOOQ
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2019