New Delhi: The matter before the Election Commission whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on India successfully testing an anti-satellite missile violated the model code of conduct is likely to be decided on Friday.
The EC had on Wednesday formed a panel under the charge of deputy election commissioner to examine the PM’s speech after opposition parties complained that he highlighted an “achievement” of the government and the issue was not related to national security.
The committee is likely to finalise its report by Friday evening. It would then be placed before the commission for a final call.
A senior poll panel functionary said the Prime Minister’s Office had neither informed nor sought the EC’s permission on Modi’s address in which he informed people about Mission Shakti, a space feat that put India in an exclusive club with US, Russia and China.
A source in the EC, however, said no response has been sought from the PMO.
Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena, in charge of the Model Code division said details of PM’s feed has been sought from DD and AIR. The two broadcasters have responded and the EC is examining their response.
Would the EC seek the response of YouTube as it was the ‘platform for the feed’, Saxena said the committee is examining all aspects. The panel would go through the video and the transcript of the address. The PM addressed the nation after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security Wednesday morning which was apparently apprised of the development.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space superpowers.
