NEW DELHI: Congress functionary TN Prathapan has approached the Supreme Court, alleging violation of the model code of conduct due to the broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's April 18 speech by state-run channels Doordarshan and Sansad TV.
The petition, which lies in defect as per its status on the Supreme Court website, claimed that the Prime Minister's speech, in which he blamed opposition parties for the defeat of the 131st Constitutional amendment bill, was used to influence voters during the ongoing elections. It is alleged that the use of publicly funded broadcasters to air a political speech amounted to the misuse of official machinery.
The plea said this fell within the definition of corrupt practice under section 123(7) of the Representation of People Act, which bars the use of government machinery for electoral purposes. It noted that a complaint was also submitted to the Election Commission.
