India’s main opposition Congress party has petitioned election officials to delay the release of a flattering new biopic about Prime Minister Narendra Modi until after upcoming elections.
Critics have said the film, due for release on April 5, is blatant propaganda and an attempt to woo voters before they start going to the polls six days later in India’s almost six-week election.
Congress, which hopes to unseat Mr Modi in the vote, said on Monday (March 25) that putting out the movie, PM Narendra Modi, would break election laws and that it should not hit cinemas until after voting ends on May 19.
“This is no artistic venture. It is a political venture and that is what we have told the Election Commission and should not be allowed,” senior Congress figure and former minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.