As the second edition of Belt and Road Initiative Summit got underway in Beijing, China displayed a map with BRI routes that showcased entire Jammu & Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. The map displayed by China’s Ministry of Commerce gave a big boost to the incumbent BJP government.

This news came in when the 2019 Lok Sabha election is at its peak and as it turns out, it is helping sway voters to decide their votes. Indian liberals have come out to declare it as a clear violation of model code of conduct. A group of liberals signed a document which was submitted to the Election Commission and a copy of the same was sent to China’s Ministry of Commerce. The letter appeals China to keep Arunachal Pradesh with them at least till the elections get over, thereby not giving an edge to the BJP.

“BJP has already made the election an issue of nationalism and border security. Now if during the elections, China surrenders to India, it will give a clear edge to BJP. This should be considered as a violation of the model code of conduct,” said Prashant Bhooshan.