In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, AICC legal department secretary KC Mittal said the programme was broadcast on Oct. 3 in contravention of the instructions issued by EC after the model code of conduct for the upcoming Assembly polls had already come into force.
The party said that, when the model code is in force, the telecast/broadcast by political parties on Doordarshan or All India Radio can only be done as per the slot allotted to them by a draw of lots conducted by Prasar Bharti in consultation with EC.
Stating that Modi is the ‘prime campaigner and only face’ of BJP for the upcoming polls, Mittal alleged that the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast was ‘part of the election campaign specially planned and designed for furtherance of the interest of the party (BJP) in power’ by ‘misuse’ of government machinery and personnel.
‘The telecast/broadcast of such a politically-motivated programme on Doordarshan and All India Radio is an abuse of authority. Such telecast/broadcasts are totally prohibited. ‘Modi has misused the official machinery to further the prospects of BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra in utter disregard and violation of the model code of conduct as also the guidelines on telecast and broadcast,’ Congress said as it sought ‘immediate stern action’ against the prime minister and his party.
Assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra are due on 15 October.
The party said that, when the model code is in force, the telecast/broadcast by political parties on Doordarshan or All India Radio can only be done as per the slot allotted to them by a draw of lots conducted by Prasar Bharti in consultation with EC.
Stating that Modi is the ‘prime campaigner and only face’ of BJP for the upcoming polls, Mittal alleged that the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast was ‘part of the election campaign specially planned and designed for furtherance of the interest of the party (BJP) in power’ by ‘misuse’ of government machinery and personnel.
‘The telecast/broadcast of such a politically-motivated programme on Doordarshan and All India Radio is an abuse of authority. Such telecast/broadcasts are totally prohibited. ‘Modi has misused the official machinery to further the prospects of BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra in utter disregard and violation of the model code of conduct as also the guidelines on telecast and broadcast,’ Congress said as it sought ‘immediate stern action’ against the prime minister and his party.
Assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra are due on 15 October.