Modi’s televised ‘address to nation’ violated poll code: Congress MP moves SC

Congress MP TN Prathapan has moved the Supreme Court against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address on April 18 which was aired by public service broadcaster Doordarshan, Bar and Bench reported on Wednesday.

The petition has alleged misuse of government-controlled television channels to criticise Opposition parties during an active election period, in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Prathapan highlighted in his petition that the speech was broadcast live on Doordarshan and Sansad TV, both of which are funded from the public exchequer and are controlled by the government, the legal news outlet reported.

Modi, in his address, had criticised Opposition parties for defeating in the Lok Sabha the Union government’s bill to amend the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act and redraw the boundaries of electoral constituencies.

On April 17, the 2026 Constitution 131st Amendment Bill, one of three draft legislations introduced by the Centre during a special session, was defeated in the Lower House of Parliament.

As a Constitution amendment bill, it required a two-thirds majority of votes to pass. The ruling National Democratic Alliance does not have a two-thirds majority of MPs in any House and had required the support of the Opposition to pass the amendment.

In his address the following day, Modi had claimed that Opposition parties stood against the draft legislation, which he described...

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