India, April 21 -- More than 700 citizens, including former civil servants, academics, activists and journalists, have written to the Election Commission of India alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his address to the nation on April 18.

In a complaint dated April 20 to the chief election commissioner, the signatories claimed the speech - broadcast on official platforms such as Doordarshan, Sansad TV and All India Radio - amounted to "electioneering and partisan propaganda" during the MCC period. They argued that the use of government-funded media gave the ruling party an "undue advantage", undermining the level playing field required for free and fair elections.

The MCC is currentl...