New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not violate the Model Code of Conduct with his televised address to the nation on Wednesday, wherein he announced the successful destruction of a satellite in outer space, the Election Commission said on Friday.
The EC took the decision based on the report of a committee of officers which found that the PM did not violate the provision of ”party in power” in the poll code. “The committee has, therefore, reached the conclusion that the provision regarding misuse of official mass media…is not attracted in the instant case,” the commission said, citing the report of the panel constituted to look into the case.
The opposition had alleged the Prime Minister’s speech violated the code as it could influence voters in the middle of the campaign. On being asked why the report is silent on the content of the speech, a senior functionary explained that since the state/government media was not used, the issue of content does not arise.
Another functionary said: “He did not seek vote. He did not describe the missile launch as an achievement of the government. He only hailed the scientists. There was no electioneering involved.”There was, however, a view in the commission that the speech did not violate the model code in letter, “but we can’t say about the spirit of the code”.
The announcement was made by the prime minister in a broadcast to the nation on television, radio and social media. Sources in the commission had initially said no permission was required for announcements linked to national security. But after complaints from several parties, sources said officials have sought a transcript of the Prime Minister’s speech from national broadcaster Doordarshan and a panel has been formed to examine it.