Cong, allies seek suspension of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ till Bihar polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio talk, Maan Ki Baat, has stirred a hornet’s nest with the Opposition claiming it could influence voters in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. On the other hand, the Election Commission is believed to have taken the stand that no “pre-emptive” measures could be taken without examining the programme.   

A delegation of the Congress, RJD and JDU leaders on Wednesday approached the Election Commission in New Delhi and sought the suspension of Modi’s Mann ki Baat radio address to the nation till the Assembly elections in Bihar are over. The delegation comprised Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and representatives of alliance partners in Bihar, including K C Tyagi from JDU and Manoj Jha from RJD.

Later, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said they requested Election Commission not to allow broadcast of Mann Ki Baat this Sunday as it will be a violation of Model Code of Conduct. 

He alleged that Prime Minister was trying to influence voters in Bihar through Mann Ki Baat. JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said Election Commission assured that they will look into the matter. RJD leader Manoj Jha hoped that the Election Commission will take a good decision on the issue.

Meanwhile, dismissing the Congress demand to temporarily stop Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat programme, the BJP said the programme was a non-political platform. Speaking to media, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said Mann Ki Baat inspired people to work on societal issues such as road accidents and dengue.

“No blanket ban can be enforced on things like Cabinet meeting and Mann Ki Baat but the EC can take cognizance if the Cabinet decision or the content of programme was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” agencies quoted an EC official as saying. 

The poll body, however, would examine the merits of the complaint filed by the Opposition.

He added that the Election Commission will take action only after verifying the content of the episode. 

If the recordings and transcript of Modi’s radio programme <g data-gr-id="47">is</g> not violative of the model code of conduct, they could not ban it from airing, the official added.

The five-phased Bihar Assembly polls will begin on October 12 and will continue till November 6. The results of the elections will be declared on November 8.

When the model code of conduct is in force, the telecast or 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 Bharati in consultation with the EC. Modi’s 12th episode of Mann Ki Baat is scheduled to be aired on Sunday. 

Modi had on Tuesday urged people to record messages in either Hindi or English for “Mann ki Baat” on the toll-free number 1800 3000 7800.

The Prime Minister shared his thoughts and listened to the public grievances on the radio programme every month. His unique interaction with people started on October 3, 2014.