Did Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi violate the election code of conduct? EC’s notice to BJP-Congress president

New Delhi: Political temperatures are high regarding the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Major political parties are heavily engaged in campaigning. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sent notices to both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Center and the opposition Congress. This notice has been given regarding the speeches of Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi during the election campaign. Both the leaders have been accused of violating the model code of conduct in their speeches. While issuing the notice, the Commission has sought reply from both the parties by Monday. The Election Commission has not named Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi in its notice, as is usually the case. However, the party has been held responsible for its star campaigners.

That’s why the Election Commission issued a notice

BJP had filed a complaint with the Election Commission on a speech given by Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai on November 6. At the same time, Congress had objected to Amit Shah’s speech given at the Dhanbad rally on November 12. BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of making false, baseless, unverified and baseless comments. At the same time, Congress accused Amit Shah of making false, misleading, malicious and derogatory comments. Congress also alleges that Amit Shah has given statements inciting voters on the basis of religion and caste.

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Notice between Jharkhand-Maharashtra elections

In the notice sent to both the parties, the Election Commission has reminded of its advisory issued on May 22, 2024. The commission had then asked BJP president JP Nadda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to ensure that their star campaigners adhere to high standards of political speeches and follow the provisions of the model code of conduct in letter and spirit.

What did the Election Commission say in the notice

The Election Commission had said in its advisory that star campaigners have special status due to Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. In such a situation, star campaigners are expected to deliver high level speeches and have a balanced view on local issues. The Election Commission had said that the speeches of star campaigners are judged on higher standards than those of other leaders. The Election Commission may soon take a decision on the issue of Congress releasing its manifesto in Jharkhand. BJP has also complained to the Election Commission in this matter.

BJP had complained about Rahul Gandhi

The BJP alleges that the Congress has violated the Model Code of Conduct by releasing its manifesto on November 12, 48 hours before the first phase of voting on November 13. According to the Model Code of Conduct, under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, issuing manifesto in silent period is prohibited, even in multi-phase elections. The Chief Electoral Officer of the state has sent a report to the Election Commission in this matter.

Congress had raised questions on Amit Shah’s speech

The Election Commission has sent notices to the presidents of both BJP and Congress parties on the complaint received against Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi. They have been asked to respond to these notices by the afternoon of 18th November. The Election Commission has not named Amit Shah or Rahul Gandhi in these notices, as is usually the case. The Commission has held the party responsible for its star campaigners, just like in the Lok Sabha elections, as complaints were received against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in that election.

Both parties will have to answer before EC

The Election Commission has sent a notice to BJP President JP Nadda after a complaint received from Congress on Amit Shah’s speech on November 12. Congress has alleged in its complaint that Shah had made false, misleading, malicious and derogatory comments against Congress and its allies in his/her speech. Similarly, Kharge has been sent a copy of BJP’s complaint on Rahul Gandhi’s November 6 speech. BJP has alleged in its letter that Rahul Gandhi in his/her speech made false, baseless, unverified and baseless allegations against BJP and tried to create division between the citizens of the two states.