New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) asserted on Wednesday that the Election Commission (EC) is acting as an “auxiliary arm of the BJP” after the regulatory body directed social media platform ‘X’ to remove specific posts made by the party for alleged breaches of the Model Code of Conduct.
The enforcement of the code commenced on March 16 following the EC’s announcement of the Lok Sabha elections schedule. Vote counting is set for June 4.
‘X’ revealed that the EC also mandated the removal of posts by the YSR Congress, N Chandrababu Naidu, and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for similar breaches of the Model Code of Conduct, as mentioned on Tuesday.
During a press briefing, Priyanka Kakkar, AAP’s principal national spokesperson, stated that the party lodged two grievances with the EC concerning BJP’s postings and advertisements, yet no corrective measures have been implemented.
“It is a national misfortune that the EC operates as a subsidiary of the BJP. We have lodged two grievances with the EC, yet there has been no remedial action,” she remarked.
The EC issued its directives on April 2 and 3, with a subsequent email sent on April 10, indicating a breach of the “voluntary code of ethics” should ‘X’ fail to remove the four contested posts.
‘X’ acknowledged that the EC’s takedown orders compel the platform to address political speech originating from elected officials, parties, and candidates for public office.
