Opposition parties, including Congress and Trinamool Congress, are to approach the Election Commission to first restrict and secondly prevent media publicity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meditation plans at Rock Memorial, a monument built in tribute to Swami Vivekananda, in Kanyakumari following the culmination of the Lok Sabha polls campaign on Thursday.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress will complain to the Election Commission if Prime Minister meditation in Kanyakumari is televised, claiming that it would be a violation of the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The Congress said the Election Commission should not grant permission for the PM's programme, as the model code of conduct was in force. "Such a move was an attempt at "indirect campaigning" after the end of canvassing of votes," Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai alleged.
The PM will meditate from the evening of May 30 to the evening of June 1 at Dhyan Mandapam, the place where Vivekananda — a spiritual icon admired by Modi — is believed to have had a divine vision about 'Bharat Mata', BJP leaders said.
The Prime Minister had gone on a similar meditation exercise in a Kedarnath cave after the 2019 poll campaign.
"We will complain. He can meditate, but it cannot be aired on television," Mamata said, claiming that this will amount to "violation of the MCC." "Does anyone have to get cameras for doing meditation?" she asked, claiming that it was a way of canvassing during the silence period between the end of campaign and the poll date.
All arrangements, including heavy security, are in place for Modi's 45-hour stay at the Rock Memorial. The district in the country's southernmost tip will see a strong posse of 2,000 police personnel and various security agencies maintaining a tight vigil during the PM's event.
Tirunelveli range DIG Pravesh Kumar accompanied by superintendent of police E Sundaravathanam had inspected the security arrangements at the rock memorial, boat jetty, helipad and the State guest house in Kanyakumari. Even as the Prime Minister's core security team reached the venue, a trial of helicopter landing had also been conducted at the helipad.
As per his tentative schedule, Modi is expected to arrive at Kanyakumari late afternoon on May 30 for the spiritual sojourn. He would later proceed to the memorial.
