The Election Commission has belatedly sounded a note of caution to the BJP and the Congress party that they should follow the Model Code of Conduct and be mindful of their words on the election campaign front. It warned on Wednesday against “star campaigners’ attempts to divide the society on communal lines.” It has asked the Congress not to undermine the systems by raising fears that the Constitution could be “abolished or sold.” The EC acted late, but better late than never. To start with, complaints had been sent to the Election Commission from various quarters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was making statements with communal overtones at his largely attended election rallies. His indirect references to Muslims about their families having larger numbers of children and the statement that the Congress party, if elected to power, would give the wealth of Hindus to Muslims, were in bad taste. He also invoked religious matters at an election rally in Odisha, saying the Lord Jagannath Temple was not safe under the BJD rule and that the missing keys of the temple were in Tamil Nadu – a taunt to the CM, whose close governmental aide is a senior bureaucrat born in Tamil Nadu.
It is unimaginable that the Prime Minister of a country should seek votes in a parliament election by invoking silly or potentially harmful subjects. It could be argued that the PM is running out of ideas and has little to list before the public about the achievements of his 10-year rule of the nation. Curiously, at this juncture, he hardly spoke about his future plans for the nation and its people. Be that as it may, the EC was duty-bound to intervene immediately and cry a halt to unacceptable deviations and violation of the election code of conduct. Its silence for several days, and the issue of a warning at the last minute, speak poorly about its integrity. The EC is also drawing flak for its alleged “excesses” in Andhra Pradesh, where it abruptly transferred top officials midway through the polls on alleged “recommendations” from some political leaders. This allegedly created law and order problems on the polling day. Institutions gain respect and dignity by virtue of the way they conduct themselves. EC had better leadership in times of officials like TN Seshan at its head. He refused to be cowed down by the political leadership or governmental functionaries.
Now, the needle of suspicion is being pointed at the ECI. As an institution with an independent status conferred by the Constitution, EC must maintain its integrity and avoid creating controversies. The strength of democracy is also the strength that institutions like the Election Commission accord to it by virtue of its impartial stand and decisions.
