Stop election speeches that divide the society… ECI’s advice to BJP and Congress amid Lok Sabha elections

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday advised the ruling party BJP and the opposition Congress at the Center to avoid campaigning on the basis of caste, community, language and religion. The Commission said that damage to the social and cultural fabric of India cannot be allowed during the elections. Both these parties had complained to the Commission against each other for giving objectionable and divisive speeches during the elections. While Congress had described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech as divisive, BJP had demanded action against Rahul’s speech.

Election Commission sought clarification from both

The Commission appointed heads of both the parties, J.P. Clarification was sought from Nadda (BJP) and Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress) on this. Now the Commission has not considered the reply received from him/her as defensible. The Commission has asked BJP President Nadda and his/her party’s star campaigners not to campaign on religious and communal lines and to stop making election speeches that divide the society. At the same time, Congress has been asked not to politicize the issue of armies. Congress, its star campaigners and candidates should not make such statements which give the wrong impression that the Constitution can be abolished. The Commission asked the presidents of both the national parties to issue formal advice to the star campaigners so that they can exercise caution and maintain decorum in their communication. The Commission also said that the valuable heritage of Indian elections and our electoral democracy cannot be allowed to be weakened by anyone.

Election Commission also talked about the ongoing politics on the Constitution

The Election Commission also asked the Congress to ensure that its star campaigners and candidates do not make statements that give the wrong impression that the Constitution can be abrogated. The Election Commission asked the presidents of both the national parties to ensure that their star campaigners issue formal advice to the CPI(M) to correct their communication, exercise caution and maintain decorum. The Commission told both Nadda and Kharge that elections are a process where political parties contest elections not only to win but also They also get an opportunity to present themselves as a role model to the voters.