At a press conference held in the national capital today, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi alleged that the Election Commission has prohibited the party’s campaign song, ‘Jail ka jawab vote se,’ citing its portrayal of the ruling party and agencies in a negative light. Atishi criticized the move, stating that such actions are characteristic of dictatorial regimes where the opposition is silenced and campaigning is hindered. She emphasized that this marks a unprecedented occurrence in Indian history, with the Election Commission banning a party’s campaign song for the first time. Atishi also drew attention to what she perceives as the Election Commission’s leniency towards violations of the model code of conduct by the BJP.
Atishi further highlighted that the Election Commission raises no objections when the BJP utilizes agencies like the ED and CBI to incarcerate opposition leaders during the Model Code of Conduct period. However, when the Aam Aadmi Party incorporates such themes into its campaign song, titled ‘Jail ka Jawab Vote Se,’ it faces significant opposition. Atishi emphasized that while the song doesn’t explicitly mention the BJP, the Election Commission contends that any reference to ‘dictatorship’ is inherently critical of the ruling party.
Atishi expressed her interpretation that the Election Commission’s stance implies an acknowledgment of BJP’s authoritarian tendencies within the country. She invoked the legacy of TN Seshan, the former Chief Election Commissioner renowned for elevating the standards of free and fair elections in India. Atishi emphasized the importance of ensuring that the 2024 elections are not remembered as the downfall of Indian democracy due to the Election Commission’s lack of neutrality. She urged the Election Commission to scrutinize the BJP’s frequent violations of the Model Code of Conduct.