‘Meditation plan violates model code’

The Congress told the Election Commission (EC) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu from May 30 violates the model code of conduct (MCC) and restrictions imposed on a candidate during the silent period.

A Congress delegation that included Abhishek Singhvi, Randeep Surjewala, and Naseer Hussain argued that Mr. Modi should hold his meditation on June 1 after polling hours or that the event should not be covered by the media until voting.

“These are all ways to either campaign or get publicity for yourself through channels and publications. We have put two simple points before the EC. Either the Prime Minister starts this after 48 hours and can start his maun vrat [vow of silence] from the evening of June 1 or, if he insists, the EC should ensure that it is not telecast by visual media or published by the print media. He [Mr. Modi] is a candidate in the last phase,” Mr. Singhvi said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also said that her party, the Trinamool Congress, would complain to the EC if the Prime Minister’s meditation was televised.

“We will complain. He can meditate, but it cannot be aired on television,” Ms. Banerjee said at an election rally at Jadavpur.

“Does anyone have to get cameras to do meditation? It was a way of canvassing during the silent period between the end of the campaign and the poll date,” she added, claiming that any publicity of the meditation would amount to a violation of the MCC.