Over 700 Citizens Move EC Alleging MCC Violation Over PM’s National Address, Seek Action

More than 700 citizens , including former civil servants, academics, activists, journalists and public intellectuals, have written to the Election Commission of India alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address on April 18 violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) currently in force in several states.

In a detailed complaint dated April 20 and addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, the signatories said the address, which was broadcast on government platforms such as Doordarshan, Sansad TV and All India Radio , amounted to “electioneering and partisan propaganda” during an active election period.

The MCC is currently applicable in states including Assam, Kerala and Puducherry , where voting has already taken place, as well as Tamil Nadu and West Bengal , where polling is scheduled later this month. Counting of votes across these states is set for May 4 .

The complainants argued that the use of publicly funded broadcasting networks for such an address created an “undue advantage” for the ruling party and disturbed the principle of a level playing field, which is essential for free and fair elections. They further cited MCC provisions that prohibit ministers from combining official communication with campaign related messaging or using government machinery for political gain.

The letter urged the Election Commission to examine the content, intent and broadcast method of the address and take appropriate corrective action. It also called for ensuring equal airtime on public broadcasters for other political parties in case such access was granted to the Prime Minister’s address.

Among the signatories are former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung , economists Jayati Ghosh and Parakala Prabhakar , activist Yogendra Yadav , musician and author T M Krishna , former civil servants and diplomats, along with several journalists and academics including Harsh Mander, Zoya Hasan and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta .

The group has urged the poll authority to act swiftly, stating that timely intervention is necessary to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process under its constitutional responsibility.