Congress seeks EC action against PM Modi for his appeals to Karnataka voters during 'silence period'
New Delhi, May 9: The Congress on Tuesday petitioned the Election Commission seeking immediate action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his appeals to Karnataka voters "in violation" of the model code, and said it was "a litmus test" for the poll body's capacity and willingness to enforce laws.
In a lengthy complaint to the chief election commissioner, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala asked the commission whether it will remain a "mute and helpless spectator" or fulfil its constitutional duty and act against the prime minster.
"Do the laws apply to prime minister or not and if ECI has the capacity and willingness to enforce such mandate or remain a helpless bystander? Truly a litmus test for ECI," Surjewala asked in a tweet.
The Congress also raised objections to various comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and other senior BJP leaders.
"One thing is extremely clear...(they) consider themselves above the law and the Constitution and presume that the ECI is either intimidated by the high offices they hold or that the ECI is too weak to act against them or hold them accountable for blatant and repeated violations of the model code...as well as various other electoral laws," the party wrote to the poll panel.
The Congress raised objections to Prime Minister Modi's appeals to the voters of Karnataka after the campaign ended Monday evening and said these were "flagrant and defiant violations" of the model code of conduct. The polling will be held on Wednesday.
Making a strong pitch for the return of the BJP government in Karnataka a day before polling, Prime Minister Modi said in one of his appeals that the affection he received in the state over the last few days has been unparalleled and it has strengthened the resolve to make it the number one across all sectors.
In its complaint, the Congress said, "...with all humility that this is a litmus test for this Hon'ble Election Commission of India (ECI) to exercise its constitutional duty under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and hold those in power accountable. The alternative is clear. They will be no level-playing field and instead there will be 'free for all', with those in power never being held accountable either to the ECI or to the rule of law."
"An unwritten but accepted norm would be that the ECI's mandate extends only to opposition parties and not to the PM and his colleagues," it charged.
Sharing the complaint on social media, Surjewala said, "Our Complaint to ECI on flagrant and defiant violations by Prime Minister Modi urging them to take action or be historically remembered for inaction and diluting the authority of ECI forever."
The party said the prime minister issued two video messages to Karnataka voters since the campaign ended -- one after 11 pm on Monday and another Tuesday.
"If Prime Minister flouts electoral laws and code of conduct for elections with impunity, brazenly and in utter disregard of ECI directives...if Prime Minister flouts the 'silence period'...if Prime Minister attempts to influence voters for electoral gains during the prohibited period, should the ECI remain a mute and helpless spectator or act on its constitutional duty...," Surjewala tweeted.
Forty-eight hours before the end of polling are considered the silence period.
The party demanded that the Election Commission initiate appropriate proceedings against Modi, Shah, Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP.
"It may be mentioned that if convicted under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, these leaders will stand disqualified from their respective membership in the Parliament as well as the legislative assembly," according to the Congress complaint.
"We hope the commission treats this matter with the attention that it deserves and initiates immediate action to take the issue forward," the complaint sent to the CEC said.
In his appeals, Prime Minister Modi sought blessings of the people of Karnataka in the mission to make the state the number one in the country.
"Dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream. Your resolve is my resolve. When we come together and set our minds to a goal, no force in the world can stop us," he said on Twitter.
In an appeal to "brothers and sisters" of the state, he sought their blessings in the mission of making Karnataka the number one state in the country, Modi said.
"My appeal is for the bright future of Karnataka. It is for the bright future of your family, especially the younger generations," he said.
Asked about the prime minister's appeal, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said, "I have stopped talking about MCC violation, but one should ask who are the accused for violating the MCC. If the prime minister is violating the model code, then one should not even talk about it as nothing will happen and no notice will be issued. Even if we take our delegation, it will be kept pending and no action will be taken."
"The writing on the wall is known to them. They know they are losing. They know we are forming the government.... Everything you hear and say are signs of desperation.... So, please believe me when I say, all this is shadow boxing," he said.
On another question on whether there was any bias, he said, something must be done but something cannot be done with constitutional institutions. "They are the ones who have to act. We have gone, I have led delegations (to EC) more than once in the recent past."
"...it is a sad state where such one-sided systems are functioning in the heat of the election, completely one sided and, I think, it is very important for this hallowed institution to restore its status by taking concrete action on a level basis, on a non-uneven basis," Singhvi told reporters.
The Congress has alleged that the Election Commission did not act on its multiple complaints demanding action against BJP leaders. It has also accused the EC of "bias" and treating the opposition party and the ruling dispensation differently.
If Prime Minister flouts electoral laws & code of conduct for elections with impunity, brazenly and in utter disregard of #ECI directives,
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 9, 2023
If Prime Minister refuses to so much even recognise the authority of Law and the ECI directives,
If Prime Minister flouts the “silence… pic.twitter.com/sBG6YYdpSz
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Nightclub roof collapse in Dominican capital leaves at least 79 dead and 160 injured
Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) (AP): The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed early Tuesday during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes and others, leaving at least 79 people dead and 160 injured, authorities said.
Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
“We continue clearing debris and searching for people,” he said on Tuesday night. “We're going to search tirelessly for people.”
Nearly 12 hours after the top of the nightclub collapsed onto patrons, rescue crews were still pulling out survivors from under the debris. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and used sawed pieces of wood as planks to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking through concrete filled the air.
The confirmed death toll had reached 66, Méndez said late Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, officials had said there were at least 160 people injured.
Méndez said rescue crews were prioritizing three areas in the club: “We're hearing some sounds.”
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among the victims. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., saying she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, first lady Raquel Abraje told reporters. Officials said Cruz died later at the hospital.
“This is too great a tragedy,” Abraje said, her voice breaking.
The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, also died. Officials had pulled Dotel from the debris earlier and brought him to a hospital. Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, said league spokesman Satosky Terrero.
Among the injured was national lawmaker Bray Vargas.
Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said that he had been rescued, but Méndez said later Tuesday that wasn't true. He said rescue crews were still looking for Pérez.
Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group's saxophonist.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake.
It wasn't immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse or when the Jet Set building was last inspected.
The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities and noted that the owner, Antonio Espaillat, was out of the country and returned late Tuesday.
“There are no words to express the pain this event has caused. What happened has been devastating for everyone,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor's office. A spokesperson for the mayor's office did not respond to a message for comment.
Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told TV station CDN that while “everyone wants to know” what happened, authorities were still focused on finding survivors. They set up a makeshift morgue near the club while more than 120 people lined up to donate blood at two different centers.
Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but did not return home, was among those anxiously waiting outside the club known for its traditional Monday parties where renowned national and international artists perform.
“We're holding on only to God,” Olivo said.
Also awaiting word was Massiel Cuevas, godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista.
“I'm waiting for her. She's in there, I know she's in there,” Cuevas said, firm in her belief that Batista would be pulled out alive.
President Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he wrote.
Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces. “We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,” he told reporters.
An official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd that had gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances space.
“You have to cooperate with authorities, please,” he said. “We are removing people.”
At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which shared pictures of the victims so their loved ones could identify them.
