'Mission Shakti' announcement a gross poll code violation, says Mayawati demanding action

On Thursday, Mayawati, the national President of BSP, and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of ‘gross misuse of power and machinery for electoral benefits' in light of the successful ‘Mission Shakti.

Here is what Mayawati, whose party is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in an alliance with its long-time rival SP, tweeted:

She was referring to the PM’s address to the nation that happened at noon on Wednesday, announcing the successful test of an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile.

Mayawati also added, ‘Previous experience proves that like law & order, BJP leaders are habitual offenders in violating Model Code of Conduct. And PM Mr Modi again flouted poll norms by addressing the country without prior permission of EC though there was no such emergency. Hope the EC acts promptly.’

On March 27, declaring that India has established itself as a global space power after the success of operation ‘Mission Shakti’, PM Modi had announced that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) missile hit a live Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite occupying a position 300 km above the surface of the Earth taking just three minutes from launch to impact.

India has now entered the elite space power club which includes US, Russia, and China after proving their A-SAT capabilities.