“In this festive season, markets are bright again but we need to remember that the lockdown might have ended but Covid-19 still persists. With efforts of every Indian over last 7-8 months, India is in a stable situation we must not let it deteriorate,” PM Modi said urging countrymen to take necessary precaution to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, the state of Bihar is all set to exercise its right to vote for the upcoming Assembly elections. The 243-seat assembly will expire on October 29, 2020 following which a fresh cabinet will be formed to run the state.
The election campaigning in Bihar is currently in its full swing as all big and small political parties/ leaders are busy with their election rallies, gatherings and public meetings. However, these rallies witness Covid-19 norms going for a toss by the people.
Election rallies and gathering in Bihar are becoming more crowded day by day. The Covid-19 norms set by the Election Commission of India clearly states that crowd in public meetings and political rallies must not exceed 200 and social distancing of at least six feel should be maintained. However, all these rules are visibly being violated in several districts of Bihar.
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Large crowds have been spotted at rallies recently addressed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Even the Union minister Nityanand Rai recently addressed a large crowd at Mahua in Vaishali district where a majority of those in the crowd did not wear a mask.
The local administration in Gaya even lodged an FIR against organisers of an event where Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president J.P. Nadda was present for violating social distancing norms. Even when RJD leaders Tejaswi and Tej Pratap Yadav filed their nomination papers, they took out a mini-road show which was a clear violation of EC norms.
Taking view of the gatherings and the rallies flouting Covid-19 precautions norms, the Election Commission on Wednesday finally warned the parties and the leaders. The election watchdog directed the parties to maintain crowd discipline and follow the guidelines issued.
The EC instructed the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer and its district machinery in the state to “invoke appropriate and relevant penal provisions” under the Disaster Management Act, and the Indian Penal Code against candidates found violating EC’s orders.
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“Instances of such public meetings have come to notice of the Commission, where large numbers of crowds have assembled in utter violation of social distancing and the political leaders/campaigners are addressing the gathering without wearing masks in complete disregard of the guidelines/ instructions issued by Election Commission,” the Commission said on Wednesday.
“By doing so, the political parties and candidates are not only flouting the guidelines of the Commission with impunity, but exposing themselves as well as the public attending the rallies/meetings to the danger of infection during the pandemic… The Commission has taken a serious view of the laxity on the part of political parties and candidates, on the ground, in terms of maintaining crowd discipline, and hereby reiterates and further advises them to demonstrate utmost vigil and care during electioneering.,” the EC said.
It will be worth watching that will PM Modi's appeal to countrymen not to be complacent and drop their guard in the fight against Covid-19 be an eye opener for politicians in Bihar, especially those from his own party and alliance.
Bihar Polls is India's first full-fledged Assembly elections held amid Covid-19 pandemic and so far the EC guidelines for campaigning is only being visible in breach.
What is more interesting is the fact that Prime Minister himself is scheduled to to address his first rallies in the polls on October 23 which will be a mix of real and virtual campaigning. Will PM Modi and his party follow the social distancing norms or Bihar will end up emerging as a Covid-19 hotspot on the backdrop of this electioneering festival.