The Maharashtra Congress has submitted a complaint to the Election Commission accusing the BJP and Nitin Gadkari of involving school children in their Lok Sabha campaign activities.

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee has lodged a formal complaint against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the BJP, alleging a breach of the Model Code of Conduct. They contend that the BJP violated rules regarding the involvement of children in election-related activities, calling for swift and decisive action against Gadkari and the party.

The complaint states that despite clear directives from the Election Commission prohibiting the use of children in such activities, the BJP and Gadkari have employed school children for their personal campaign purposes. Specifically, they highlighted an incident at NSVM Fulvari school where BJP and its candidate utilized students for a campaign rally on April 1. The Congress provided videos and photographs as evidence to support their complaint.

Earlier in February, the Election Commission had issued directives against involving children in political campaigns, emphasizing compliance with laws on child labor. The Commission reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards using children in any capacity during the electoral process, including restrictions on carrying children during rallies or using them in campaign materials like songs or displays of political symbols.

The Election Commission's stance emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children from being used for political gain, reinforcing the need for parties and candidates to adhere strictly to these guidelines.