NEW DELHI: Hindi movie PM Narendra Modi, reportedly based on the life of the Prime Minister, has generated a lot of controversies even before its release scheduled early next month.
After Opposition parties approached the Election Commission, a group of retired bureaucrats have also requested the poll panel to delay the release of the biopic.
Opposition parties have termed the release of the film a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and said it will influence voters. A separate delegation of Left leaders, including CPI’s D Raja and CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu, made a representation to the Election Commission.
Now, a group of retired bureaucrats have also written to the EC urging the Commission to stall the release of the film till May 23, when the results of the Lok Sabha elections will be declared. They too contended that the release would be a violation of the MCC.
“You will appreciate that such a film would create enormous electoral mileage for the Prime Minister and the party in power,” the letter said.
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The EC has said that it is looking into the matter and action would be taken accordingly. Earlier, Delhi election office had issued notices to the production house and music company behind the film.
Officials said the broad position is that any political advertisement circulated on electronic media or social media has to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee.
“If any pre-certified political or surrogate advertisement is circulated, it is a violation of model code of conduct. Whosever has done, it is given an opportunity to explain their stand,” said an official.
Row over remark
The EC has reportedly sought the transcript of a statement made by NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar to examine whether it violated the MCC.
After Rahul Gandhi promised minimum income guarantee, Kumar accused the Congress of “saying and doing anything to win elections”. Twitter users hit out at him.