As the curtains fall on India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the final round of voting scheduled for June 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned 48-hour meditation trip to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu has become the latest bone of contention between political parties.
K Balakrishnan, state secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tamil Nadu unit, wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner on Wednesday, demanding that he ban the telecast of PM Modi’s planned meditation trip.
He further stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s continued presence in the limelight till election day constitutes a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
“This is his personal choice and we have no say in it. However, print, electronic and social media will likely cover the event, including live coverage, and it will become a huge publicity bonanza for Shri Modi and his party,” Balakrishnan alleged in his letter to the Election Commission, adding that it will “affect the level playing field for other candidates and their parties”.
Several opposition parties, including the BJP and Trinamool Congress, have objected to the televised broadcast of Modi’s planned meditation trip to southern towns.
The Indian National Congress on Wednesday alleged that PM Modi is attempting to “circumvent” the silence period restrictions by undertaking a 48-hour meditation trip in Kanyakumari from May 30 and urged the Election Commission to ensure that it is not broadcast in the media as it violates the Model Code of Conduct.
The act also violates the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of People Act, 1951, the veteran political party alleged.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had mocked PM Modi’s plans to visit Kanniyakumari and meditate ahead of the election results on June 4. “Anyone can go and meditate. Will anyone take a camera while meditating?” she asked.
According to sources, PM Modi will meditate at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a monument built in honour of Swami Vivekananda, in Kanniyakumari after campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections ends.
Tuning In
