Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address 18th Mann Ki Baat today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing 18th edition of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the show had received clearance from Election Commission on Friday with instructions that the programme should adhere to the Model Code of Conduct in force due to assembly polls in five states.

The programme would be aired on public radio and television channels from 11 AM.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had approached the Commission to clear the broadcast of the monthly radio address due to Model Code.

Sources said the Commission gave its green signal to the address on Wednesday with instructions that the Model Code should not be violated.

"Nothing should be said which influences or impacts the voters of the five poll-bound states. These are the instructions which have been given while clearing the address," a source said.

He said since it is an "ongoing programme", the clearance was issued like in the past.

The 18th edition of Mann Ki Baat comes at a time when nationalism debate in India has been replaced by the slogan of nationalism – Bharat Mata Ki Jai. This would be interesting to see if Prime Minister speaks something on this or stays mum to avoid any kind of controversies.