Congress rival Vikramaditya says they will complain to election authorities
In a clear violation of the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, BJP candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut used children during her poll campaign in Manali on Thursday (May 9, 2024).
In its directions issued in February 2024 before the Lok Sabha poll were announced, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had categorically told political parties to refrain from using children in campaign. The ECI had said that it would have a “zero tolerance” approach on the matter.
Actor puts up video of social media
Kangana, a successful actor who often courts controversies with her bold statements, uploaded a story on her Facebook account showing “children holding BJP flags and raising slogans”.
In the video, she herself can be seen waving a BJP flag while standing in the centre of a gathering of children. A boy aged around 10 years too is seen holding a BJP flag in his hand while all other children can be heard raising a slogan “1, 2, 3, 4… Kanganaji hain superstar”. In another video put up by the actor on her Instagram handle, she can be seen addressing an audience, including children with whom she subsequently waves the BJP flag.
Targeting the actor sarcastically, Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh alleged that Kangana seems to be “unaware of the Election Commission’s guidelines and she first needs to be tutored on this”.
“It’s a clear violation of elections rules. We will complain to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer and the poll authorities in Mandi, demanding she be barred from contesting…. Anyhow, she is bound to lose the elections and can better take coaching on poll guidelines for the next five years.”
No complaint yet, says Mandi DC
Talking to TNR on the matter, Mandi Deputy Commissioner and returning officer Apoorv Devgan said they were yet to receive any such complaint against Kangana. “We will take action as per rules,” he said.
The ECI had warned politicians and political parties against using children in election campaigns in any manner, including by making them distribute posters or pamphlets, or including them in campaign rallies and election meetings and using them for raising slogans. The commission had unequivocally directed all election officials and machinery to refrain from involving children in any capacity during election-related work or activities.
“District Election Officers and Returning Officers shall bear personal responsibility for ensuring compliance with all relevant acts and laws pertaining to children. Any violation of these provisions by election machinery under their jurisdiction will result in severe disciplinary action,” the ECI had said in a statement.
