Over 700 Voices Demand Action Against PM Modi's Address During Election Period

In a significant move, more than 700 individuals, including former officials and activists, have lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address on April 18. They argue that the address violated the Model Code of Conduct, constituting electioneering during a critical period. The complaint calls for an investigation and emphasizes the need for equal media representation for all political parties. Notable figures among the signatories include former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and various prominent activists and journalists. This situation raises crucial questions about the integrity of the electoral process in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 20, 2026, 22:03 IST

Concerns Raised Over PM Modi's Address

New Delhi: A collective of over 700 individuals, including former civil servants, scholars, activists, and journalists, has formally approached the Election Commission. They allege that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national address on April 18 breached the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for elections, calling for an investigation and corrective measures.

In a complaint submitted on April 20 to the Chief Election Commissioner, the group contends that the address, which was aired on government platforms like Doordarshan, Sansad TV, and All India Radio, constituted "electioneering and biased propaganda" during the MCC enforcement period.

The MCC is currently applicable in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, where voting occurred on April 9, as well as Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where polls are scheduled for April 23 and 29, respectively. The counting of votes for these assembly elections will take place on May 4.

The complaint emphasizes that utilizing government-funded media for such communications grants the ruling party an "unfair advantage" and disrupts the necessary level playing field for conducting free and fair elections.

Referencing MCC regulations, the complainants highlighted that ministers are prohibited from merging official duties with election campaigning and from leveraging official resources for partisan activities.

The letter urged the Election Commission to acknowledge the matter, scrutinize the address's content and delivery, and take suitable action. It also requested equal airtime on public broadcasters for other political entities if prior approval was given for the broadcast.

Notable signatories include former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, political economist Parakala Prabhakar, activist Yogendra Yadav, economist Jayati Ghosh, musician-author T M Krishna, former Union secretary E A S Sarma, activist Harsh Mander, journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, academic Zoya Hasan, and former ambassador Madhu Bhaduri.

Additional signatories comprise transparency advocate Anjali Bhardwaj, former civil servants Ashish Joshi, Amitabha Pande, and Avay Shukla, journalists John Dayal and Vidya Subrahmaniam, and CPI leader Annie Raja, along with numerous academics, lawyers, and social activists.

The group insists that the Commission must act promptly to "preserve the integrity of the electoral process" as part of its constitutional responsibilities.