LS polls: Congress files 28 complaints against BJP with EC; flags PM Modi’s 'televised meditation' event

New Delhi: Congress has filed 28 complaints with the Election Commission against the Bharatiya Janta Party for different poll violations in May.

Seven of the complaints are against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The complaints relate to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, decisive statements, inflicting communal tension between religious communities, and false narratives in rallies and social media.

The last complaint against PM Modi was filed on May 29, 2024, for a planned event that would be live-streamed, on social media. It is related to meditation at Vivekananda Memorial in Tamil Nadu on May 30th, 2024.

A televised meditation event

The Congress delegation of leaders comprising of Randeep Singh Surjewala, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Naseer Hussain brought to the notice of the Election Commission the planned event of ‘meditation’ by PM Modi from May 30th evening.

The delegation urged the EC to ensure that this is not broadcast/telecast or printed during the silent period of 48 hours as that would be a complete violation of the model code of conduct.

Varanasi election

In the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls, Varanasi from where PM Modi is contesting is going to polls on June 1st.

The ‘televised’ meditation event would impact the voters in Varanasi, stated the Congress party. It would unfairly leverage the ethno-cultural significance of the chosen location in an attempt to bolster his campaign and maximize his vote share, stated Congress party.

Ajay Rai from Congress

The Congress party has fielded Ajay Rai from Varanasi for the third time. PM Modi has won the seat of Varanasi in 2014.

Complaint against BJP's social media handle

The Congress party has also given a detailed complaint against the BJP social media handle for sectarian and divisive things posted on it.

The complaint on May 26, 2024 states that the official BJP account on ‘X’ posted an advertisement about INC that is false and misleading. The advertisement was published with the sole intention of furthering the BJP narrative against INC on its alleged policy of wealth redistribution which would favor members of a particular religious minority.

Complaint against CM Biswas Sarma

Complaint made on May 25, 2024, against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma for appealing to vote based on religion. Also falsely portraying that INC is communal and biased. Sarma alleged that INC does not adhere to the Constitution in letter or spirit. Smara claimed that the BJP respects the culture of the majority religious community and would construct temples of significance. The delegation sought action against the blatant violations committed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, terming him as a serial offender.

Complaints against Amit Shah

INC complained against Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 13, 2024, for his speech at Lakhimpur Kheri Parliamentary, Constituency and speech at Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh on May 23, 2024.

In Uttar Pradesh, Shah said, that BJP and its allies are ‘Ram Bhakts’ and INC and its allies were ‘Ram Bhakton par Goli Chalane Waale’. He also called a particular religious minority ‘ghuspathiye’ and reiterated baseless claims about the INC taking away reservations from members of the SC, ST, and OBC. INC stated that these statements violate electoral laws, extant laws, as well as instructions issued to the BJP by the Election Commission.

There are three complaints against Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adiyanath and one complaint against BJP president J P Nadda for violating the model code of conduct.

List of complaints against PM Modi

May 13, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi for statements against Congress party at Nandurbar Parliamentary Constituency, Maharashtra, calling the party, the “graves of terrorists”, taking away reservations from the SC, ST, and OBC communities.

May 13, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi for speech in Telangana saying “Saathion, yeh Congress Hindu se aur hindu parv se kitni nafrat karti hai. Yeh har roz saamne aa rha hai. Shehzaade ko, tuition dene waale, leader ne yeh bhi kahaan hai ki Ayodhya mein Ram Mandir nahi banna chahiye tha. Unhone ailan kiya hai ki Ayodhya mein Ram Mandir banana aur Ram Navami manana, yeh Bharat virodhi hai, yeh Idea of India ke khilaaf hai.”

May 16, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi for airing of the interviews during the silent period on May 13, 2024. The interviews were televised on India Today and Aaj Tak. Interviews highlighted the achievements of the government in the 4th phase of polling. The telecast was violative of provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

May 17, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi for speech in Barabanki Parliament Constituency for statements, remarks and allegations against INC and I.N.D.I.A parties. The speech insinuated that these parties disrespect the practices and beliefs of the majority religious community and would bulldoze a particular place of worship. PM Modi also again repeated a false narrative against INC and its intention of ‘taking away people’s wealth’ and giving resources to those who ‘commit vote jihad. Again repeated that INC would take away reservations from SC, ST, and OBC Communities.

May 20 and 25, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi for repeated violations of Model Code of Conduct in his speech against INC about reservations.

May 26, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi on false, misleading, provocative, and communally charged statements at Shimla Himachal Pradesh. PM Modi repeated the charge about doing away with reservations, vote jihad, and promoting ill-will between religious communities.

May 29, 2024: Complaint against PM Modi for violation of the silent period from May 30 by starting meditation in Tamil Nadu. INC complained that the Dhyan Mandapam will be televised and unfairly leverage entho-cultural significance to bolster his campaign and maximize his vote share.