'I Shall Stand In People's Court': PM Modi Hits Back At Congress Over 'Poll Code Violation' Claim

After the Congress accused him of violating the Model Code of Conduct, PM Modi said that the party was trying to stop him from doing good for the poor people.

PM Modi in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday

PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday hit back at the Congress over its allegation of the BJP violating the Model Code of Conduct by announcing welfare schemes amid the Chhattisgarh election. Addressing a public meeting in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi said that the Congress was trying to stop him from doing good for the poor people.

He said, "Congress announced that they will go to the Election Commission and file a complaint against Modi as he has committed a crime by announcing that he will give free ration for the next 5 years. Should I be afraid of Congress? I want to tell them that you can go to any court in the world to stop me but I take decisions in the court of public..."

While Chhattisgarh saw the first phase of polling on Tuesday, the next phase for 70 seats will be held on November 17.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress objected to PM Modi's announcement of a five-year extension of the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, claiming it to be a "blatant violation" of the model code of conduct amid the Chhattisgarh election campaign. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took to X to express his concerns and questioned whether the Election Commission would intervene.

Ramesh said that the five-year extension was just an acknowledgement of the "Prime Minister's failing image". He said it also reflected the deepening economic distress and financial pain. He said that this was a "desperate announcement" by the PM and urged the Election Commission to take necessary action.

Furthermore, Ramesh pointed out that the Union Cabinet had not yet approved the extension, highlighting a pattern in Modi's approach where announcements precede Cabinet approval. He drew parallels with the past, citing the example of November 8, 2016.

Ramesh contested the nature of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, asserting that it is a rebranded and repackaged version of the National Food Security Act, 2013, which Modi, as the chief minister, had vehemently opposed.

During a recent poll rally in Chhattisgarh, Modi declared the government's intention to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for five years, covering 80 crore poor people. The Prime Minister emphasized the scheme's role in addressing the food concerns of the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic, reassuring that the BJP government would continue providing free rations for the next five years.

(With PTI inputs.)