he two-day meditation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, starting from May 30 violates the model code of conduct (MCC) and restrictions imposed on a candidate during the silent period, the Congress told the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday.
A delegation of Congress leaders led by national spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi met EC officials and submitted the representation.
Singhvi said, “We told the ECI that no one is allowed to campaign directly or indirectly during the silence period (48 hours before elections when campaigning comes to a halt). We have no issue with someone observing a vow of silence. But there should be no indirect campaigning during this… You know that the period of silence starts on May 30 morning (7 am), and will continue till June 1.”
“We kept two very simple points before the ECI — either the PM starts his trip after June 1 evening, or if he insists on starting it tomorrow (Thursday) then, a ban is imposed on its media coverage,” said Singhvi, Indian Express reported.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee also reacted sharply, questioning why the PM should meditate in front of the camera, adding, “he (PM) cannot campaign like this”.
Addressing an election rally at Baruipur in Jadavpur constituency, Mamata Banerjee said, “Does anybody meditate in front of the camera? He wants to show people that he is meditating. The place is good, Swami Vivekananda loved this place (Dhyan Mandapam). If he (Modi) is saying that he is God then, then why should he meditate?”
“He cannot campaign like this. He can meditate but that cannot be telecast on the television. This is a violation of MCC and we will complain to the ECI,” she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday (May 28) that he will visit and meditate at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, from May 30 to June 1 to mark the culmination of BJP’s Lok Sabha election campaign. PM Modi is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi which will go to polls on June 1 in the last phase of elections.