The model code of conduct bars rallies for 48 hours before polling closes in a given area. But Narendra Modi still gets his message across.
New Delhi: Yet another voting day and yet another speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though outside the state where the poll code was in place.
On Friday, as people were voting in Telangana and Rajasthan, Modi was delivering a speech at the Jagran Forum on the 75th anniversary of Hindi daily Dainik Jagran.
The model code of conduct prohibits public meetings within the 48 hours immediately before polls close. But that is applicable to the geographical area where the elections are taking place.
Making speeches, mostly telecast live nowadays, outside that territory does not violate the model code of conduct although its live telecast does defeat the very purpose of the prohibition.
“Why is the country backward so many decades after Independence?” Modi asked at the Jagran Forum in New Delhi, a message that could be easily heard by the electors in far away Telangana and Rajasthan, thanks to TV channels, radio and digital news outlets.
Modi used the stage to glorify the achievements of his government. He said that electricity was now reaching places where it had not in the last 70 years. He added that the BJP was bringing several previously unconnected areas on the railway map.
Asked about the Election Commission’s stand on this trend, former chief election commissioner V.S. Sampath told ThePrint, “It is not against the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission if a person is campaigning outside the state where voting is going on.”
Another former chief election commissioner approached for comment, S.Y. Qureshi, refused to offer one.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam said Modi’s speech had nothing to do with elections. “Modi was speaking in his capacity as the Prime Minister. It has nothing to do with influencing the voters’ opinion,” he added.
Congress spokesperson Ravi Saxena, meanwhile, said voters were unlikely to get influenced. “Nobody cares what Modi speaks anymore,” he said, “People are smart enough to understand his jumlas.”
Modi’s speech on a voting day was not the first though. It has become rather predictable since the NDA came to power at the Centre in May 2014. ThePrint takes you through a few instances.
Also read: Exit polls predict clear Congress win in Rajasthan but tough contest in MP, Chhattisgarh
Karnataka assembly elections, May 2018
While voting was underway in Karnataka 12 May 2018, Modi addressed a civic reception in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he emphasised the development work carried out by his government, including railway lines, hydropower, and oil pipelines between the two countries.
Tripura assembly elections, February 2018
As the northeastern state voted 18 February, Modi laid the foundation stone for the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Making an address on the occasion, he said that his administration had helped roll out Rs 10 lakh crore worth of projects that were stuck under previous governments.
Gujarat assembly elections, December 2017
The same day that Gujarat witnessed its second phase of polling, 14 December 2017, Modi commissioned India’s first indigenous Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy at Mumbai.
Speaking at the event, Modi said the submarine was an excellent example of “Make in India” campaign. Later in his speech, he also pointed out that the Indian security forces had killed around 200 terrorists in 2017.
Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, November 2017
As Himachal Pradesh voted on 9 November 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, launched a new passenger train between Kolkata and Khulna across the border, a bid to ease people-to-people contact. Several other bilateral connectivity projects were launched the same day.
His address on the occasion was telecast live, with the official handle of the PMO also tweeting parts of his speech.
Uttar Pradesh and Manipur assembly elections, March 2017
As Uttar Pradesh and Manipur voted on 8 March 2017, Modi addressed a Swachh Bharat convention of women sarpanches at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, where he praised Mahatma Gandhi and touted his government’s achievements vis-a-vis making India cleaner.
Bihar assembly elections
While the second phase of the Bihar elections was underway on 16 October 2015, Modi addressed the 10th annual convention of the central information commission.
In his speech, Modi cited the Rs 1.86 lakh crore UPA-era coal scam to emphasise how his government was spearheading online auctions of resources to champion transparency and prevent similar irregularities.
Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand assembly elections, November 2014
As the two states voted in the first phase of their elections on 25 November 2014, Modi inaugurated the National Trauma Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal, which was built at a cost of Rs 300 crore.
Speaking at the event, Modi said that the Centre, along with state governments, was building infrastructure for modern healthcare all over the country. He added that the government’s policy intervention was helping provide better healthcare for the poor and the middle class.
Also read: Exit polls were spot on when Telangana, Rajasthan, MP, Mizoram & Chhattisgarh last voted