Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and former MLA Anil Akkara has filed the first formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his address to the nation on Doordarshan on April 18.
Akkara, who represented Wadakkanchery in the 2016 Kerala Assembly as a Congress candidate and is known for his activism on issues like panchayati raj and organic farming, submitted the petition on Sunday. The complaint targets the Prime Minister’s 8:30 pm broadcast, which he claims breached MCC guidelines amid ongoing assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry. The MCC, enforced since the poll schedule announcement, remains in force until May 6.
In the detailed complaint, Akkara stated that despite being fully aware of the restrictions, the Prime Minister used a central government-controlled platform like Doordarshan to address the nation. “This act is a clear violation of the Representation of the People Act and is a punishable offense,” the petition reads.
He further alleged that by specifically mentioning names of political parties contesting in the five poll-bound states and utilising official government machinery, including influencing Doordarshan authorities, the Prime Minister misused his official position. “This speech is fundamentally against the interests of the nation and constitutes a grave breach of election protocols,” Akkara wrote, arguing it could influence voters and disturb the level playing field.
The MCC, a set of ECI-issued guidelines without statutory backing but backed by Article 324 of the Constitution, aims to ensure free and fair polls. It explicitly prohibits the party in power from using official mass media for partisan publicity or electioneering. Ministers must separate official duties from campaigning, and misuse of government resources — including public broadcasters — is barred to prevent undue advantage.
Akkara has urged the ECI to launch a thorough investigation and register cases against the Prime Minister and all involved under the Representation of the People Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He described the address as a punishable offence that undermines democratic norms.
This marks the first such petition concerning the Prime Minister’s national address during the current electoral cycle. Opposition circles have echoed concerns, viewing the timing and content as an attempt to sway opinion in key states where voting is at various stages, with results due on May 4.
The ECI is yet to issue an official response. In the past, the Commission has taken cognisance of similar MCC complaints involving senior leaders by seeking explanations from party presidents rather than individuals directly. While it has issued notices and advisories in cases of alleged hate speech or misuse of platforms, outcomes often hinge on whether the content is deemed purely official or election-oriented. Critics sometimes question the consistency of enforcement.
Political analysts note that such complaints test the MCC’s boundaries, especially when national addresses by the PM coincide with state polls. The handling of Akkara’s plea could influence how the poll panel addresses future allegations involving public broadcasters and high constitutional offices during sensitive periods.