AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, June 7 (TIWN): Serious allegation has brought against Indian media by such a person who led elections in the country. Former Chief Election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has broken his silence over the role of media and alleged social media for breaking model code of conduct.

He was responding to a question during a panel discussion organised at the India International Centre here, after the release of a report on poll expenditure, by a city-based think tank.

“Normally, the role of media is to question the government, what they are doing, what they are not doing… but they (media) were only questioning the Opposition… ‘Why they (opposition parties) didn’t do something 50 years ago?’ Is that what the media should be doing?” Quraishi asked.

“But it was all sugar and honey talking to leaders of the day. Instead of asking tough questions, they were expressing thanks that they were given time (by leaders),” he said without naming anyone.

The Lok Sabha polls were held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The results were declared on May 23.

“Media’s role during the 2019 polls has been problematic and a bit questionable… Couple that with what happened on social media, the 48-hour silence period norms were violated with impunity,” Quraishi alleged.