Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra hits roadblock as EC bans rally with officials as 'rath prabharis'

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra: The government's plan to enlist bureaucrats for a countrywide mega rally has been hindered, with the Election Commission banning the yatra in five states where elections are due by the end of the year.

The Centre had requested that ministries appoint senior officials from each district of the country to serve as "district rath prabharis (special officers)" for the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.

The Election Commission announced today that the Model Code of Conduct is already in effect in five states with upcoming elections: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana.

"In view of the foregoing, Commission has directed that the aforesaid activities should not be taken in the constituencies where Model Code of Conduct is in force up till 5th December, 2023," the Commission wrote in its order.