Controversy arises as hoardings use Mandir to seek votes for BJP in Gandhi Nagar
Ahmedabad: In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections 2024, a contentious issue has emerged in the Gandhi Nagar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat, where hoardings featuring references to a temple have been erected to garner support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The hoardings, which prominently display slogans advocating for the re-election of the Modi government and referencing the construction of a temple, have raised concerns about potential violations of the Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits the use of religion to solicit votes.
The hoardings, bearing slogans such as "Phir ek baar Modi sarkar," "Modi ki guarantee," and "Viksit Bharat," prominently feature the phrase "500 varsh baad bhaviya mandir Shri Ram Mandir," invoking the fulfilled promise of the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram.
Social activist Shabnam Hashmi took to her social media handle to report the issue, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against the perceived violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Several users echoed Hashmi's sentiments, expressing disappointment and condemnation over the apparent exploitation of religious sentiments for political gain. One user questioned the lack of action from the ECI, while another criticized the focus on religious rhetoric instead of developmental issues. Others expressed concern about the influence of such tactics on the electorate, questioning the discernment of the people of Gujarat in light of these tactics.
Hoardings all over Gandhi Nagar Lok Sabha constituency using Mandir to ask for votes . Requesting @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI to take action
— Shabnam Hashmi (@ShabnamHashmi) April 18, 2024
Model Code of Conduct prohibits use of religion to ask for votes @gurdeepsappal @MukulWasnik @sonaldatta @SupriyaShrinate @devdesai74… pic.twitter.com/gyySWTJgY8
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Apologise for seeking votes for Modi earlier: Uddhav Thackeray
Kolhapur (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said the Narendra Modi government has betrayed Maharashtra, and he apologises to the people for seeking votes for the prime minister in earlier elections.
Thackeray and his Maha Vikas Aghadi ally and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar spoke at a rally at Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur district of western Maharashtra in support of Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Hatkanangale constituency, Satyajit Patil.
Talking about the circumstances in which his government fell in 2019, Thackeray said the Supreme Court had not delivered its verdict on whose Shiv Sena was the real one, but the "Election Commission and the arbitrator (Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar) who were working as their (BJP's) servants, gave their verdicts."
"Now when PM Modi calls us fake Shiv Sena, he is putting pressure on the court," Thackeray said. Sharad Pawar said that Modi, during visits to Maharashtra, only criticises him (Pawar) and Thackeray instead of speaking about his plans for the state. Pawar also accused the Centre of misusing central agencies and pointed to the arrests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in alleged corruption cases.
Thackeray said when no one was willing to join hands with the BJP, the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with it. The saffron party, however, brought down the government of a man whose family had given it everything, he said, referring to the fall of his government in June 2022. "I apologise for seeking votes for Modi (in the past) because his government has betrayed Maharashtra," the Sena (UBT) chief added.
He also accused the BJP of using the Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha elections but scheming to defeat its candidates in assembly polls. "You used Shiv Sainiks (in Lok Sabha polls) but defeated our candidates (in assembly polls). I have come to avenge it," said Thackeray who parted ways with the BJP in 2019. Thackeray and Pawar also shared the stage at a rally in Kolhapur city for Congress candidate Shahu Chhatrapati.
Pawar said on the occasion that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about the country when he visited the states, while Indira Gandhi would talk about poverty alleviation. "But this PM can not rest till he targets Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. I want to tell Modi ji, however may you criticise us and bypass important issues facing the state and the country, the people of Maharashtra will teach you a lesson," he said. Hitting out at Modi for calling Pawar "wandering soul," Thackeray in his speech recalled that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had praised Pawar's disaster management skills.
