NEW DELHI: In the wake of poll code violation complaints filed by both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against each other in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, both parties have requested additional time from the Election Commission (EC) to respond. Sources revealed on Monday that the two parties have asked the EC for a seven-day extension to submit their replies to the allegations made against their respective leaders.
On Saturday, the Election Commission had directed the presidents of both the Congress and the BJP to respond to the complaints lodged by the rival parties. The Commission had written separate letters to BJP President J.P. Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting their comments on the allegations by 1 p.m. on Monday. However, both parties have now sought extra time to present their responses.
The Congress has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of breaching the poll code, while the BJP’s complaint is directed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In its communication to the party presidents, the EC had also reminded them of its previous advisory during the Lok Sabha elections, urging all parties to ensure that their star campaigners and leaders adhere to the principles of public decorum and avoid violating the model code of conduct during the campaign.
As the election campaign intensifies for the ongoing Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, key leaders from both the Congress and the BJP continue to actively participate in rallies and public engagements in the two states. The Election Commission’s scrutiny of these complaints underscores its commitment to maintaining a fair and orderly election process.
