TMC files complaint with EC against PM's model code 'violation'

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, claiming that the BJP candidate from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has breached the model code of conduct by using funds from the central government for his campaign.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien stated in a letter to the chief election commissioner on Monday that on March 16, following the implementation of the model code of conduct, the voters received a message from the prime minister highlighting his government's initiatives.

Modi has purportedly written the message in the form of a letter to the voters on March 15, the TMC leader claimed.

"By using the office of the prime minister, the BJP has issued the aforesaid letter at the cost of the public exchequer under the guise of a message seemingly sent by the Government of India. Such mass circulation is nothing but an appeal to the voters in favour of the BJP and Mr Modi and thereby flouting the mandate of the Election Commission of India," O'Brien said in the complaint.

He urged the EC to ensure that appropriate directions are issued to the BJP and its candidate Modi to withhold from future campaigns at the cost of public exchequer, to withdraw the letter...." O'Brien said that the cost of sending the prime minister's letter to the electorate should also be included in the accounts of the BJP and Modi against the head "election expenditure."

With PTI inputs