New Delhi, April 21, 2026: A group of more than 700 individuals, including retired bureaucrats, academics, activists and media professionals, has petitioned the Election Commission of India, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi breached the Model Code of Conduct during his national address delivered on April 18.
In their communication dated April 20 to the Chief Election Commissioner, the signatories argued that the speech, aired through government run broadcasters such as Doordarshan, Sansad TV and All India Radio, carried elements of political messaging that could influence voters. They contended that such usage of state funded platforms during an active election period creates an uneven playing field.
The complaint pointed out that the Model Code of Conduct is currently applicable in poll bound regions, and it restricts public officials from mixing governance responsibilities with political outreach. The petitioners urged the Commission to examine both the content and broadcast mechanism of the Prime Minister’s speech and take necessary steps if any violation is established.
Among those who endorsed the letter are former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, political activist Yogendra Yadav, economist Jayati Ghosh, musician and writer T. M. Krishna and former Union Secretary E. A. S. Sarma. The group stressed that timely action is essential to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
The petition also suggested that if the address is found to be in breach of guidelines, it should be withdrawn from official channels. Additionally, it proposed that opposition parties be given comparable airtime on public broadcasters to ensure fairness.
During his televised speech, the Prime Minister referred to the failure of the proposed constitutional amendment related to women’s representation in the Lok Sabha, describing it as a setback for women. He criticised several opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, accusing them of obstructing the bill.
He also expressed regret over the government’s inability to secure the bill’s passage, stating that it represented a missed opportunity to advance women’s participation in governance.
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