Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena writes to ECI, takes exception to BJP's election promise in MP to take people to Ayodhya

Mumbai: Citing the examples of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly using religion to garner votes, the Uddhav Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday accused the Election Commission of “double standards” and asked whether it has relaxed the Model Code of Conduct specifically for the BJP.

“Giving the BJP a 'free hit' and dismissing others as 'hit wicket' does not amount to holding free and fair elections,” Thackeray, the former Maharashtra CM said.

Thackeray’s outburst came hours after Shiv Sena (UBT) Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Anil Desai shot off a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar - in which he pointed out examples of the Modi-Shah duo.

Ahead of the Karnataka elections in May, Modi had asked people at large to change “Bajrangbali ki jai” and press the EVM buttons while during the campaign for Madhya Pradesh polls, Shah assured darshan of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya for the people of the state free of cost, if it is voted to power in the state again.

Talking to reporters at Matoshree, Thackeray pointed out that in 1987, Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray was banned from exercising his voting rights for six years for coining phrases like ‘garv se kaho hum Hindu hai’ and ‘mandir wahi banayenge’.

“We would like to know if and when the ECI has changed its Model Code of Conduct,” he asked.

“If you are giving free darshan to Ram Lalla then why keep it to only Madhya Pradesh? All Hindus should be given darshan for free at all times,” said Thackeray.

On the other hand, in the letter, Desai stated: “...The double standards applied by the Election Commission are intriguing, yet understandable, given the fact that the commission is publicly perceived to be in alignment with whatever the BJP does during elections and even otherwise…”