Ahead of the Lok Sabha election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to go to Kanyakumari on Thursday for a three-day meditation retreat. The Prime Minister’s withdrawal, according to the Congress party, is a “violation” of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and they have so contacted the Election Commission with this claim.
Congress Alleges MCC Violation
Senior Congressman Abhishek Manu Singhvi spoke to the media the day before the Prime Minister’s retreat following a meeting with Election Commission representatives in Delhi. “We told the Election Commission that no one should be allowed to campaign, directly or indirectly, during the 48-hour period of silence,” Singhvi said.
Concerns Over Silence Period
Singhvi underlined that any campaigning is prohibited during the silent period, which begins at 7 AM on May 30 and ends on June 1. He maintained that Modi’s withdrawal is an attempt to break the MCC by either carrying on an indirect campaign or staying in the public eye. “The Prime Minister’s meditation will be a breach of the Model Code since the quiet period would be from 7 AM on May 30 till June 1,” said Singhvi.
The head of the Congress recommended that the Prime Minister move his “maun vrat,” or vow of silence, to the evening of June 1st, giving him an extra 24 to 48 hours. Additionally, he asked that the media be told not to cover the retreat if all goes according to schedule.
Historical Context
Prime Minister Modi has made such retreats during election seasons before. This one is not unique. Prior to the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results in 2019, he paid pilgrimages to the shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath, where he was re-elected for a second straight term. Leading BJP figure Modi, a former Gujarati chief minister, is running for reelection to the Varanasi seat of parliament for a third time in a row. The results of the seventh and final phase of voting in the Uttar Pradesh constituency are expected on June 4.
Implications and Reactions
The Congress’s protest has spurred discussion about the moral ramifications of prominent figures withdrawing during pivotal election years. Opponents contend that such acts may be interpreted as a kind of covert campaigning, which might sway voters.
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