A delegation comprising Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Abhishek Singhvi, and Syed Naseer Hussain met with the Election Commission to address concerns regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 48-hour meditation trip in Kanyakumari. They emphasized that this trip violates the model code of conduct and requested the Election Commission to ensure that it is not broadcasted by the media.
The Congress delegation also submitted a memorandum outlining 27 other alleged model code violations by the BJP in recent days. The opposition party highlighted that the meditation program in Kanyakumari’s ‘Dhyan Mandapam’ during the silence period before the June 1 voting in Modi’s Varanasi constituency was a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Congress pointed out that news agencies had already reported on the trip scheduled for May 30, which would be aired during the silence period in Varanasi.
Shri Narendra Modi’s meditation trip has been criticized by the party for attempting to bypass the 48-hour silence period and exploit the cultural significance of the chosen location to gain an unfair advantage in his campaign and increase his vote share. This violates both the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct, according to the party. The memorandum also highlighted that it goes against the guidelines for political parties and candidates during the election period. The party has lodged a complaint regarding the Prime Minister’s meditation starting on the evening of May 30, as it falls within the silence period and is therefore a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
They suggested that the meditation should begin after 24-48 hours, from the evening of June 1. If the Prime Minister insists on starting on May 30, the Election Commission of India should ensure that it is not broadcasted by the media. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi expressed hope that the Election Commission would take immediate action to prevent the live telecast of the meditation at the Vivekananda Memorial, which he referred to as a brazen violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also criticized the meditation in a post on X, calling the self-proclaimed god’s meditation a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Modi is scheduled to engage in meditation at Rock Memorial, a monument constructed as a tribute to Swami Vivekananda, after the conclusion of the Lok Sabha polls campaign on May 30, as stated by BJP leaders.
According to BJP leaders, he will meditate at Dhyan Mandapam, the location where Vivekananda, a revered spiritual figure admired by Modi, is believed to have experienced a divine vision of ‘Bharat Mata’. This meditation will take place from the evening of May 30 until the evening of June 1.
The Congress party has raised concerns about the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) granting a waiver to Renewable Energy Plants situated in SEZs and EOUs, exempting them from adhering to the mandatory guidelines for ‘onshore wind power projects’.
The party stated that such a waiver has the potential to create an unfair advantage during the ongoing elections.
Furthermore, the Congress party has lodged complaints against the Prime Minister and other BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, for alleged violations of the model code of conduct.
The opposition party accused the Prime Minister of making statements at a campaign rally in Patiala, Punjab, that violated the MCC. These statements included baseless allegations against the Congress party, aimed at tarnishing its image and weakening its standing.
The Congress party also accused Himanta Biswa Sarma of making explicit appeals for votes based on religion, while falsely portraying the Congress party as communal, biased, and non-compliant with the Constitution.
The opposition party accused Home Minister Shah of repeating the BJP’s narrative of being “Ram Bhakts” during his election speech in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. They also claimed that the INC and its allies were described as “Ram Bhakton par Goli Chalane Waale” by him. The Congress stated that Amit Shah made prejudicial statements referring to a specific religious minority as ‘ghuspathiye’.
They alleged that the BJP leader made baseless claims about the INC taking away reservations from SC, ST, and OBC communities to give it to another religious community for securing votes. Additionally, the Congress accused the BJP of misusing state machinery in Uttar Pradesh by using state government buses to transport supporters to a poll event venue. The opposition party claimed that such use of governmental resources by the ruling party violates provisions of the model code and the doctrine of a level-playing field.