PM Modi's Dussehra day radio address did not violate poll code, says Election Commission

New Delhi: The Election Commission today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's October 3 radio broadcast did not violate the Model Code of Conduct.

In a brief order, the commission told All India Congress Committee's Legal Cell Secretary K C Mittal that "it did not find anything in the broadcast matter which constituted violation of Model Code of Conduct."

The Model Code came into force on September 12 for the October 15 assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana.

The commission said it heard the audio of the speech and perused its script before reaching the conclusion.

In a new initiative to reach out to the maximum populace, Mr Modi had connected with people over radio with his 'Mann Ki Baat', giving a pep talk on shedding despondency and use of skills for the country's betterment and prosperity.

He impressed upon the people to generate confidence among themselves, including the specially-abled children who are a responsibility of the society, and advocated the need for use of khadi products as a homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Congress had accused the Prime Minister of misusing state machinery by broadcasting 'Mann Ki Baat' address on All India Radio ahead of the October 15 assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra.

In a complaint to the Election Commission, the party argued that Mr Modi's radio talk was in contravention of Election Commission's instructions issued after the model code of conduct for the upcoming assembly polls came into force. The party demanded action against the PM and BJP.

The Congress said that after the model code comes into force, telecast or broadcast by political parties on Doordarshan or All India Radio could be done only as per the slots allotted to them by a draw of lots, conducted by Prasar Bharti in consultation with the poll panel.

Stating that Mr Modi is the 'prime campaigner and only face' of BJP for the upcoming polls, AICC legal department secretary KC Mittal said the broadcast was "part of the election campaign and specially planned and designed for furtherance of the interest of the party (BJP) in power" by "misuse" of government machinery and personnel.