Experts: EC notice to Cong, BJP chiefs may give long rope to leaders; make bosses more accountable

New Delhi: The Election Commission notices to BJP and Congress presidents for speeches made by their star campaigners allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct has generated mixed views on the poll panel’s action. While some experts said since the responses have not been sought from the leaders against whom representatives have been made, it may give them a long rope, others said this is a good intervention to hold party chiefs responsible who have control over their leaders.
An expert said, “The EC has power to take action against political leaders and star campaigners for violating the norms. It has issued advisories detailing the conditions and the consequences. It’s not like a parents-teachers meeting where the teachers alert parents about the performance of their wards,” he added. He added that the EC giving almost 5 days time to respond to its notices is also unprecedented since so far the upper limit for giving response has been 48 hours.
Another expert said while the notices have been issued to party chiefs, it also mentions that “individual star campaigners would continue to remain responsible”. Holding the party chief responsible is a good trend as they now need to prove that they have control on their leaders. “This will have some good impact within the parties on how their leaders should behave when MCC is in force,” he said.