By TNM Staff
The Election Commission of India on Wednesday, May 22, wrote to the national presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress directing both parties and their star campaigners to follow the model code of conduct (MCC). The Commission’s directions laid particular stress on Clause (1) of the general conduct of the MCC, which prohibits parties or candidates from indulging in activities that “may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.”
The ECI notice does not name the star campaigners of either party who made the statements or speeches that the other party took issue with. The complaints, however, were mostly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
In its letter to BJP president JP Nadda, the ECI directed him to instruct their star campaigners to refrain from making statements that would “divide society”. The party was also instructed to “refrain from campaign methods/utterances along religious/communal lines”.
The complaints against the BJP included its allegations regarding inheritance tax and wealth redistribution mentioned in the Congress manifesto. The complaints also raised BJP’s comment that Congress would remove reservations for SC/ST/OBC communities and offer reservations to “a particular religious minority”. The BJP’s reactions to Rahul Gandhi’s “Shakti” remark, Congress’ ‘non-involvement’ in the construction of the Ram Mandir, terming the Congress manifesto the “Muslim League’s manifesto” were all topics that were raised in the complaints against BJP.
This story was originally published in thenewsminute.com. Read the full story here.