Mission Shakti Speech: PM Modi Gets EC Clean Chit

Several Opposition leaders had complained to Election Commission regarding Modi’s speech.

New Delhi: On expected lines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi got a clean chit from the Election Commission when it ruled that his televised address to the nation on Wednesday announcing a successful test of India’s anti-satellite weapon did not break the Model Code of Conduct.

The Commission based its finding on the report of a committee of officers which found that the PM did not violate the provision of ”party in power” in the poll code.

In his speech to the nation, PM Modi had announced the successful test-firing of India’s anti-satellite (ASAT) missile, Mission Shakti, and highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen national security. The opposition had alleged the Prime Minister’s speech violated the election code – in place since the polls were announced earlier this month – as it could influence voters in the middle of the campaign.

The model code is a series of dos and don’ts for the government and political parties, which comes into effect as soon as the elections are announced.