Congress seeks cancellation of ‘Run for Viksit Bharat’, cites poll code violation

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President, Devender Yadav, has written to the Election Commission, seeking cancellation of “Run for Viksit Bharat,” which he claims is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The event is slated for Wednesday. Dictated by Delhi University in cooperation with the Viksit Bharat Ambassador Club, the event allegedly promotes the BJP’s “Viksit Bharat” campaign and is slated to feature prominent personalities including badminton champion Saina Nehwal, actor Raj Kumar Rao and University of Delhi Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh.

With 5,000 students expected to participate, Yadav argues that the event, featuring prominent BJP figure Kuljeet Chahal, clearly serves as an electoral advantage for the BJP, therefore demanding its immediate cancellation.

Devender Yadav said that the fact that 5,000 students from different colleges are expected to participate in the run, as “Viksit Bharat 2047” is a flagship campaign of the ruling BJP-led Centre.

BJP leader Kuljeet Chahal was present at a meeting held to outline the preparations for the run. He claimed that Chahal being the national convenor of the NaMo App—a personal online interface of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was clear proof that it would be a political show to canvass support for the BJP. It should be scrapped.

Devender Yadav also said that the Dayal Singh College has also made a poster related to the Viksit Bharat Run with a photograph of PM Narendra Modi, which is also a clear-cut violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Pointing out the “don’ts” in the Model Code of Conduct, Yadav wrote that the Election Commission notification states, “No official work should be mixed with campaigning/electioneering”. Therefore, the Election Commission should direct Delhi University to cancel this scheduled run forthwith.