Rosaiah writes for DC: EC has to revamp its model code

Hyderabad, March 27: The Election Commission should take another look at the the model code of conduct in the backdrop of Opposition parties introducing new trends in electioneering.

The Congress has the highest regard for institutions such as the EC that strive to keep the spirit of democracy alive.

However, the conduct of the Opposition parties, particularly the Telugu Desam, is increasingly becoming unjust. In its quest for power, the TD is compromising on the life of common man by opposing even the provision of emergency medical care to the poor under Rajiv Arogyasri.

The model code, with an objective of providing a level playing field, explicitly talks about the dos and don’ts for the ruling party.

There is, however, no specific chapter that regulates the behaviour of Opposition parties and talks about their dos and don’ts. For instance, the proposed cash transfer scheme of the TD is nothing but luring people with money for their vote. Similarly, the process of releasing draft manifesto and putting it for discussion among people before coming out with the actual one is unprecedented. A situation is emerging wherein the EC shall have to incorporate certain restrictions on the Opposition parties too to provide a level playing field for the ruling party.

There is also a need to make a clear demarcation between the ongoing schemes and the new ones.

For instance, the Opposition parties have opposed identifying new beneficiaries for the ongoing Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme.

In actuality, new beneficiaries mean poor patients suffering from serious illness who may need emergency medicare. I feel hurt that the TD does not care for them.

On Indiramma housing also, there is no rationale behind the Opposition’s demand to stop release of funds to houses which are yet to be grounded. The Opposition has also demanded that the face of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on 108 ambulances be covered.

But posters and cut-outs of actors campaigning for the TD are freely being displayed. Channels are also telecasting their movies. We complained to the EC against this, but no decision has been taken yet.