PM Narendra Modi’s photos taken down from PMO, other government websites

Pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been taken down from several government websites, including that of the Prime Minister's Office. The development comes after the model code of conduct came into effect with the Election Commission of India announcing the poll schedule of Lok Sabha Election 2019 on Sunday. According to reports, some ministries are yet to comply.

The website of the Law Ministry still carries the pictures of Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, his junior minister PP Chaudhury and a link to PM's 'Mann ki Baat' monthly radio address, reports PTI.

Same is the case with the website of Ministry of Minority Affairs where pictures of minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and his junior minister Virendra Kumar are displayed.

The code of conduct will remain in place till the end of the election process, i.e. May 23. The seven-phase General Elections will begin from April 11 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. The code states that the party in power - whether at the Centre or in the states - should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning.

During this period, ministers of the Centre and State government cannot announce financial grants in any form. No project or scheme which may have the effect of influencing the voter in favour of the party in power can be announced, and ministers cannot use official machinery for campaign purposes.

In a letter written to the cabinet secretary and chief secretaries of states, the poll panel had asked them to ensure that photographs of ‘political functionaries’ on official websites are removed or hidden immediately.

Central and respective state government have been asked to remove all unauthorised political advertisements in the form of writings on walls, posters, hoardings, banners and flags from public property and public spaces such as airports, railway stations, bus stands, municipal buildings, government offices and buses within three days of announcement of poll dates.