In the letter dated April 19, the CPI leader criticised the timing and content of Modi’s speech, delivered amid ongoing elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and other states. Kumar claimed the address was political and intended to influence voters during the election period.

During the address, Prime Minister Modi condemned the Opposition for blocking the Women’s Reservation Bill, stating they had “crushed” the aspirations of women despite the government’s sincere efforts.

In his letter, Kumar alleged that the Prime Minister misused state resources, including public broadcasters Doordarshan and Sansad TV, to make partisan claims, stating, “I write to draw your urgent attention to a serious violation of the Model Code of Conduct currently in force in five states. The recent address to the nation by the Prime Minister and BJP leader Shri Narendra Modi was, by all objective assessment, political in nature. It contained partisan assertions, selective narratives, and direct attempts at influencing public opinion on a matter that is under active political contestation.”

The CPI MP further criticised the use of national public broadcasters, writing, “What is even more concerning is that this address was broadcast on national public broadcasters such as Doordarshan and Sansad TV. The use of state resources and publicly funded platforms for disseminating what is essentially a political speech constitutes a grave breach of electoral norms. It undermines the level playing field that the Election Commission is constitutionally mandated to uphold during the period when the Model Code of Conduct is in operation.”

Kumar urged the Election Commission of India to investigate, warning, “Any failure to take cognisance of such an instance risks signalling institutional complicity and eroding public confidence in the impartiality of the Election Commission. I urge the Commission to take prompt and sincere action in this matter, initiate an inquiry, and ensure accountability so that the sanctity of the electoral process is preserved.”

The Model Code of Conduct restricts the misuse of official mass media during election periods for partisan political coverage or publicity that furthers the incumbent party’s prospects.

Earlier on April 18, Prime Minister Modi described the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill as a blow to women’s self-respect, asserting that the female electorate would remember the insult permanently. “Women may forget everything else, but they never forget an insult to their pride,” he said, adding that “the sin committed by the opposition” would invite punishment from the people.