1. Trinamool Congress files a complaint with the Election Commission against PM Modi for alleged model code of conduct breach.
2. Allegations suggest PM Modi utilized central government funds for his Varanasi election campaign.
3. Complaint raises concerns over fairness and transparency in election practices.
Kolkata, March 19: The Trinamool Congress has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of breaching the model code of conduct.
The ruling party in West Bengal alleges that PM Modi, BJP’s candidate from Varanasi, utilized central government funds for his election campaign.
Derek O’Brien, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP, penned a letter to the chief election commissioner, asserting that a public message promoting government programs reached voters on March 16, after the model code of conduct was implemented. O’Brien claims PM Modi dispatched the message in the form of a letter to voters on March 15.
According to O’Brien, the BJP exploited the prime minister’s office to disseminate its message, financed by the public treasury. He contends that the letter constituted an appeal to voters in favor of the BJP and PM Modi, contravening the Election Commission’s guidelines.
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In his complaint, O’Brien urged the EC to instruct the BJP and PM Modi to refrain from future campaigns funded by the public exchequer and to withdraw the letter.
He also demanded that the cost of circulating the letter to voters be included in the BJP’s election expenditure account.
Responding to the allegations, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya dismissed O’Brien’s claims as baseless and absurd.
Bhattacharya challenged O’Brien to approach the Election Commission or the Supreme Court with evidence to support his accusations.
He maintained that PM Modi’s popularity in Bengal is a testament to his governance and pro-people policies.
Bhattacharya further asserted that TMC leaders have failed to secure a place in the hearts of the people, a reality that will become apparent in the upcoming polls overseen by the Election Commission.
Last week, on the eve of the general elections announcement, PM Modi wrote a letter to the public, seeking suggestions to shape the Union government’s “Viksit Bharat” (developed India) agenda. He invited ideas and support to realize the goal of building a developed India.
