Chennai sources stated that as the Election Commission announced dates for the Lok Sabha Polls yesterday and the model code of conduct came into place, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman avoided taking a special aircraft and chose a to board a commercial flight to New Delhi from Chennai. Meanwhile Sitharaman, who had come to Chennai for an event, also avoided government car and escort vehicles and arrived at the airport in a BJP leader's car.
Furthermore the Defense Minister was scheduled to board a special aircraft but shortly before her departure time, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the seven phase polls commencing on April 11 and imposed the Model Code of Conduct. Reportedly Sitharaman then took a private carrier's 8.40 pm flight to Delhi and the airport sources said she had also told officials not to come to the terminal to see her off.
Moreover it was stated that among other things, the code of conduct bars the government from announcing any policy move that may impact voters' decision and restrains ministers from making use of official machinery or personnel.
