EC clears PM's Mann ki Baat on Sunday

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has given its nod to the Prime Minister's 'Mann ki Baat' radio broadcast on Sunday with instructions that the programme should adhere to the Model Code of Conduct in force due to assembly polls in five states.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had approached the Commission to clear the broadcast of the monthly radio address due to Model Code.

Sources said the Commission gave its green signal to the address on Wednesday with instructions that the Model Code should not be violated.

"Nothing should be said which influences or impacts the voters of the five poll-bound states. These are the instructions which have been given while clearing the address," a source said.

He said since it is an "ongoing programme", the clearance was issued like in the past.

The Commission had been clearing the broadcast during assembly polls. It had given its nod for the programme during assembly polls to Maharashtra and Delhi and recently during the Bihar assembly polls.

The opposition, especially the Congress, had approached the poll watchdog to stop the programme saying state machinery could be used to influence voters.

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are going to polls beginning April 4. The Model Code came into force on March 4 when the polls were announced by the Commission.