New Delhi: The Election Commission of India is likely to take a call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on the success of Mission Shakti on Friday.
The EC said a committee has been formed and was examining the speech of PM Modi, which some opposition parties claimed was aimed at gaining political mileage out of achievement by India’s defence and space scientists. The opposition claimed that it was a violation of Model Code of Conduct in place ahead of the general elections.
Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena, who is heading the committee, said EC was examining if it needed to seek a response from YouTube as it was the “platform for the feed”.
"It has three aspects -- law, media and the poll code. We have collected information and we are going into the entirely to see whether there was violation. By tomorrow, there will be a decision," Saxena said on Thursday.
Saxena is also the in-charge of the Model Code division.
Two broadcast arms of Prasar Bharti had already submitted their response.
On Wednesday, PM Modi addressed the nation and informed about India’s entry into an elite club of nations having the capability to hit satellite in space. After the US, China and Russia, India became the fourth nation with this capability.
As the address was over, opposition parties like TMC and CPI(M) complained that the speech was a breach of poll code and a committee should be set up to examine the issue.
Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading.
