A Congress Member of Parliament has approached the Supreme Court of India alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The petition centers on a recent speech delivered by the Prime Minister that was broadcast live on the national carrier, Doordarshan (DD), during the ongoing election period.
The petitioner argues that the broadcast constitutes a misuse of government machinery and state resources for electoral campaigning. According to the plea, the "level playing field" essential for a fair democracy is compromised when the ruling party utilizes public broadcasters to disseminate political messaging to a massive audience, a privilege not equally afforded to opposition parties under similar circumstances.
The petition further alleges that the content of the speech contained divisive rhetoric that contravenes the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines, which prohibit appeals to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. The MP’s legal team stated that they had previously filed a representation with the Election Commission, but the lack of "immediate and decisive action" necessitated the intervention of the apex court.
Counsel for the petitioner has requested an urgent listing of the matter, seeking a directive for the ECI to take coercive action and for a restraint on Doordarshan from broadcasting such political content during the MCC period. The petition emphasizes that the ECI’s constitutional mandate under Article 324 is to ensure that no candidate or party gains an unfair advantage through the use of state-controlled media.
The Union Government and the Election Commission are expected to defend the broadcast, potentially arguing that the speech was part of official duties or an informative address to the nation rather than an election campaign event. The Supreme Court's decision on whether to intervene will be a significant indicator of the judiciary's role in supervising electoral conduct and the neutrality of state-owned media during polls.