Former IAS officer questions ECI if they are afraid to act on complaints against PM Modi
New Delhi: Former IAS officer E.A.S. Sarma expressed disappointment with the Election Commission of India (ECI) for not responding to his letter, raising concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech, which he believed may have violated election campaign rules.
Sarma lodged a complaint with the ECI on Friday, drawing attention to a speech made by Modi during a visit to Tamil Nadu earlier in the week. In his complaint, Sarma referenced Modi's reported remarks regarding Hindu beliefs in "nari shakti" and "matru shakti," accusing the INDIA opposition bloc of insulting Hinduism.
“In its rally in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, the ‘INDI Alliance’ openly announced that it wants to destroy the shakti that the Hindu religion has faith in. Everyone in Tamil Nadu knows what shakti means in the Hindu religion,” he is heard saying in a video of the speech.
Modi also said that several temples devoted to goddesses in Tamil Nadu were the ‘shakti of this place’ and said that in Hinduism, the term refers to matru shakti and nari shakti.
“The people of the ‘INDI Alliance’ repeatedly and deliberately insult the Hindu religion,” the prime minister also said.
Sarma said that these statements violated the model code of conduct and urged the ECI to take action against Modi if the report he cited was found true.
“Invoking the religious sentiments by a political leader during elections brazenly violates the model code of conduct … If what has been reported is factually correct, the commission should act on this urgently and initiate deterrent, exemplary proceedings against the person making such a statement,” Sarma had said in his March 22 letter.
However, as of Monday, Sarma had not received a response from the commission regarding his complaint. In a follow-up letter, he questioned whether the ECI was hesitant to act independently and raised concerns about the commission's impartiality, particularly in light of recent changes in the law governing the appointment of election commissioners.
Sarma emphasized the importance of the ECI addressing his concerns publicly to dispel any perception of bias or reluctance to uphold its duty to ensure fair and impartial elections.
The model code of conduct, enforced by the ECI, aims to regulate the behavior of governments, political parties, and politicians during election periods to maintain fairness and integrity in the electoral process. Violations of the code can result in notices and punitive action by the commission, which has the authority to enforce its provisions to ensure free and fair elections.
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PM leads mega roadshow in Sikkim, to attend celebrations marking 50 years of statehood on Tuesday
Gangtok (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a mega roadshow in Gangtok on Monday evening after arriving in Sikkim to attend the closing ceremony of 50 years of statehood celebrations.
Modi, who wore a traditional Bhutia cap and a Lepcha coat, was received at the Libing helipad by Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
From the helipad, the PM began the roadshow, which concluded at Lok Bhavan, where he will stay overnight.
On the open vehicle, Modi was flanked by CM Tamang on his left and state BJP president D R Thapa on his right.
Large crowds lined the roads for hours, waving national flags and waiting to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
As his convoy moved slowly through the city, people broke into celebrations. Some enthusiastic supporters chanted "Modi, Modi, Modi", while a few women were seen showering flower petals in his direction.
Modi acknowledged the cheering crowds by waving continuously.
Tamang was also seen urging the gathered people to cheer for the PM during the roadshow.
The route of the roadshow was decorated, with arch gates erected at several points and large cut-outs of Modi placed along the roads.
On Tuesday, Modi will visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok. To commemorate the golden jubilee of Sikkim's statehood and showcase the state's ecological and floral heritage, the 'Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari' Park has been developed as a world-class Orchid Experience Centre.
The PM will also participate in the closing ceremony of Sikkim's 50th statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium, where he will unveil development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore.
The projects cover several sectors, including infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture.
Modi is also scheduled to address the gathering on the occasion.
He was expected to attend the opening ceremony of the year-long celebrations last year, but could not reach the venue due to inclement weather. However, he addressed the event virtually from Siliguri in neighbouring West Bengal.
Tamang later thanked the people for giving the grand reception to the PM during the hour-long roadshow in the state capital.
"With immense fervour and heartfelt enthusiasm, the people of Sikkim accorded a grand and resounding welcome to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on his arrival in Gangtok," he said in a social media post.
Tamang said people from all walks of life gathered in large numbers to greet him, reflecting the deep respect and warm affection the people of Sikkim hold for his leadership.
"It was indeed an honour to join him during the roadshow and witness the overwhelming love and support of the people firsthand," he said.
