Vadodara, Apr 20 (PTI) The Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “misusing” his office to target the Opposition during an address to the nation last week and alleged he violated the Model Code of Conduct which is in place for the ongoing assembly elections.
Talking to reporters here, Congress general secretary in-charge of Gujarat Mukul Wasnik noted the PM’s 29-minute speech on April 18 focused mainly on attacking the Grand Old Party.
Modi’s address to the nation came a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill, implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies from 2029 onwards, was defeated in the Lower House of Parliament.
“In his 29-minute speech, he (PM) mentioned the Congress 58 times. Every minute, he was chanting the name of the Congress twice. He was criticizing the Congress, he was criticizing the Opposition. This kind of behaviour was not expected from the Prime Minister of India,” Wasnik stated.
Modi, as a politician and as a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), completely misused the PM’s post, the former Union minister claimed.
The senior Congress leader also criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming it failed to act despite what he described as “violations” during the poll period.
Polling is due in Tamil Nadu (April 23) and West Bengal (in two phases on April 23 and 29).
“It is condemnable that while elections are about to happen in some states, the Election Commission of India did not do what was expected of it. The Model Code of Conduct was completely flouted,” the Rajya Sabha member insisted.
The Congress leader reiterated his party’s demand for immediate implementation of the women’s reservation law passed by Parliament in 2023.
Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act), Wasnik argued the delay in its implementation reflected the government’s “deceitful intentions”.
“On September 2023, Parliament passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Thirty months later, on April 16, the Centre issued a gazette notification to implement the amendment. This alone shows the deceitful intentions with which they have approached the entire issue of women’s reservation,” he said.
The Congress veteran maintained the historic law should be implemented starting with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
“If there is any need for minor amendments, then do it, but it should be implemented without delay,” he demanded.
Wasnik further claimed women voters across the country were aware of what he termed as “betrayal” by the BJP-led government and asserted they would respond politically.
“The people of India, especially the women, understand the BJP very well. They also understand Narendra Modi very well. They understand that deceit is being practiced against us, that we are being betrayed. In the coming days, women will surely give an answer to this,” he added. PTI COR PJT PD RSY
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