Congress candidate moves SC against telecast of PM’s address

Three-time Congress MP from Kerala and a candidate in the 2026 Assembly elections, T.N. Prathapan, on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) moved the Supreme Court against the “complete and inexplicable inaction” on the part of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the face of “flagrant violation” of the Model Code of Conduct occasioned by the airing of “partisan political address” delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeting Opposition parties by name on April 18, a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha.

“The broadcast constituted a misuse of state machinery and official media for electoral gain, targeted at specific Opposition political parties by name, and was delivered without any sanction, authority, or justification under the Constitution or any law. The petitioner contends that such inaction on the part of the Election Commission (EC) is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and constitutes an abdication of its solemn constitutional mandate,” the petition, filed by advocate Suvidutt M.S., said.