'Violation of silent period,' Tamil Nadu Congress moves court against PM Modi's Kanyakumari visit

India's Congress party has approached a state high court seeking directives to the top election body to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from meditation in the southern city of Kanyakumari from May 30 to June 1.Congress's Tamil Nadu state unit told the Madras High Court that Modi's actions during the silent period amounted to a violation of the election code of conduct. The silence period starts 48 hours before the polling starts and no campaign-related activities are allowed during this time.

The seventh and last phase of the mammoth India elections will be held on June 1and the silence period began on the evening of May 30. Ahead of the phase seven polls, PM Modi has decided to hold a 45-hour-long Dhyan (meditation) at the Vivekananda Rock. Congress says this is an attempt to "whip up Hindu sentiments" and for "canvassing votes" by misusing his official position.

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Congress alleged that Modi's action to broadcast his meditation using official media violated the Representation of Peoples Act.

Congress also highlighted how Modi's visit to the public place was infringing upon the fundamental right of the tourists as security has been beefed up in the area and several restrictions have been placed. The party said the livelihood of several persons will also be hit as business activities have been restricted.

Earlier this week, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi held a meeting with officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and urged the poll body to stop PM Modi's 'meditation campaign.'

“We told the Election Commission that during the silence period of 48 hours, no one should be allowed to campaign, directly or indirectly,” he was quoted as saying by news agencies.

Singhvi, however, clarified that the grand old party is not against “whatever any leader may do.”

“The PM's meditation, on the other hand, will be a violation of the Model Code as the silence period would be from 7am on May 30 till June 1,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)