PM Modi’s Doordarshan Speech During Elections: Plea In Supreme Court Alleges MCC Violation

The petition, filed by former Member of Parliament and current Kerala Assembly election candidate T.N. Prathapan, seeks enforcement of fundamental rights and urges the Court to direct the Election Commission of India to discharge its constitutional mandate under Article 324.

At the core of the plea is an April 18, 2026 broadcast aired on state-run platforms Doordarshan and Sansad TV. The petitioner contends that the address, delivered at around 8:30 PM, was overtly political in nature and targeted specific opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Samajwadi Party.

According to the petition, filed through AoR Dr. Suvidutt Sundaram  the Prime Minister’s remarks went beyond governance communication and entered the realm of electoral advocacy by criticising opposition parties and urging voters to hold them accountable at the ballot box. It is argued that such content, broadcast through government-funded media during an active election cycle, constitutes a misuse of state machinery for partisan purposes.

The plea specifically invokes Section 123(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which classifies the use of official machinery for electoral gain as a “corrupt practice.” It also alleges violation of provisions of the MCC that prohibit the use of public resources and official platforms to secure electoral advantage.

A key grievance raised is the alleged inaction of the Election Commission despite being formally notified of the broadcast. The petitioner argues that this failure amounts to an abdication of constitutional responsibility and undermines the principle of a level playing field, an essential component of free and fair elections.

The petition underscores that the right to contest elections on equal footing is intrinsically linked to fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It contends that the Election Commission’s silence in the face of an alleged violation has effectively allowed the ruling party to gain an undue advantage, thereby distorting the electoral process.

Further, the plea highlights that both Doordarshan and Sansad TV are fully funded by the public exchequer and operate under government control. Their use for what is described as a “partisan political address” during the MCC period, the petitioner argues, strikes at the heart of electoral neutrality.

The petition also situates the issue within the broader constitutional framework, asserting that free and fair elections form part of the basic structure of the Constitution. It submits that unchecked use of state-controlled media for political messaging during elections erodes democratic integrity and public trust.

In light of these allegations, the petitioner has sought directions from the top court to compel the Election Commission to take appropriate action, enforce the MCC, and ensure that similar instances do not recur.

The prayers sought in the plea are-

1. Direction to the Election Commission of India to issue a show-cause notice to Narendra Modi and/or the BJP over the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act.

2. Direction to the Centre, through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to immediately remove the April 18 televised address from all government-controlled platforms, pending inquiry.