Election Commission orders inquiry into ‘Namo’ food packets, but fighting losing battle against proxy campaign

Policemen stationed outside polling booths Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar constituency, in Noida were reportedly distributed food packets reading "Namo Foods" on the packets on Thursday, 11 April. Union Minister Mahesh Sharma is contesting from this constituency.

When District Magistrate was asked about it, he said " It is not a big issue. Will officials have food or not? Possibly shop's name is written. No other intention should be read into it"

According to Election rules in India, presence of any paraphernalia related to parties or candidates within 200 metres of polling booths on Election Day is prohibited.

In 2012 the Election Commission had ordered a cover-up of all statues of Mayawati and Bahujan Samaj Party's election symbol, the elephant, to ensure a level-playing field in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. The then Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi had directed competent authorities to cover up all the statues installed in various parks and monuments of the state.

Two years later in 2014 Narendra Modi triggered a controversy when the Election Commission ordered Gujarat administration to file a complaint or FIR against him for violating poll laws by displaying BJP's election symbol 'Lotus' and making a speech after casting his vote in Gandhinagar.

Since then, however, the ruling party and the Prime Minister have been allowed to campaign in neighbouring constituencies, when polling is on in the rest of the state, go on TV during polling and take surrogate advertising and election campaign to an entirely new level.

In 2019 the Election Commission had to order Indian Railways to remove paper cups bearing the ruling party’s symbol. But Railway portals, IRCTC and several airlines have continued to display the image of the Prime Minister on tickets, boarding passes etc.

A Varanasi resident and All India General Secretary, Samajwadi Jan Parishad (SWJP),816 Rudra Towers, Aflatoon , on Wednesday posted the following on social media:

“ Went to see my wife Dr Swati off at Varanasi Jn today. She is travelling with following details- PNR:2841293773,TRN:22435,DOJ:10-04-19,CC,BSB-NDLS,DP:15:00,
SWATI,C12 14,
Fare:1700.
The train has Wifi, the page which leads to login has Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo and 'Your favourite' written below.I am attaching the screenshot of the page referred above taken by me at 14.50 . I hope ECI would intervene and do the needful.”

However, indications are that the Election Commission is fighting a losing battle against code violations, in which even children are not being spared.

Several on Twitter too wondered if this was a violation of the model code of conduct.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, convenor of Indian National Congress, question Uttar Pradesh police as why they are distributing these packets?