Subsequently, the Election Commission had directed that political parties could not jeopardise the neutrality of the Indian armed forces in the context of the Kargil conflict and in the run up to the campaign for the general elections.

In brazen defiance of such a clear directive, the election meeting organised by the BJP and the INLD for Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee at Karnal has depicted the three service chiefs in the backdrop of the stage. Such a backdrop was also present in the Rohtak meeting.

Such brazen violation of the norms and breach of the Model Code of Conduct calls for strict action by the Election Commission against the offending parties. As a leader of the BJP, the Prime Minister cannot be absolved of responsibility. Failure to act at this juncture will vitiate the election process.