Why in news
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had approached the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court's order restraining it from printing certain derogatory advertisements against the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which are derogatory and violated the Model Code of Conduct during the Lok Sabha Elections, 2024
The Trinamool had already approached the Election Commission (EC) against the advertisements.
The EC had issued a show cause notice to the BJP on May 18. The party was supposed to file its response on May 21.
Model Code of Conduct on the general conduct of political parties and candidates
Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work
Refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties
Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided
SC Says
The Supreme Court told the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that degenerating debates during the Lok Sabha election would only harm voters’ interests while finding advertisements published by the party against the Trinamool Congress “prima facie disparaging”.
One should consider the other as rival, not enemy
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