EC cracks whip on BJP, Congress; asks Nadda, Kharge to 'maintain decorum'

The Election Commission, on May 22, slammed both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress for the poll speeches made by their star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The Poll panel directed BJP president JP Nadda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to issue formal notes to their star campaigners, urging them to "correct" their discourse, exercise care, and maintain decorum during their speeches.

In separate directions issued to Nadda and Kharge, the EC stated that the country's socio-cultural ecosystem cannot be compromised during elections. The poll panel also emphasised that the two major parties must not undermine the heritage of the Indian voter's quality electoral experiences.

It has pulled up both parties for campaigning on the lines of caste, religion, community and language. It has explicitly issued instructions for the star campaigners for both parties to not refrain from religious and communal overtones in their public speeches that might give rise to tensions within the community.