The state-run television channel Doordarshan has telecasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech live while he was campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 3, Wednesday in Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata. This is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The channel is run by the government on taxpayers’ money. It is supposed to work independently without any bias to any political party, irrespective of who is in power.
Taking note of the issue, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury questioned the Election Commission’s resolve to conduct fair polls.
Is this what the Election Commission is doing about Article 324, on its mandate to conduct free & fair polls? Why is the state broadcaster running live the campaign speech of the BJP candidate from Varanasi? Will it now live telecast speeches of all leaders of national parties? https://t.co/VYzPHxxJ4J
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 3, 2019
Earlier, the Congress party had also moved the Election Commission against the BJP’s alleged “misuse” of Doordarshan in broadcasting certain speeches by Modi.
Also Read: Congress Approaches EC Over BJP’s Misuse of Doordarshan, Pvt TV channel