NEW DELHI: An Indian opposition leader, Mamata Banerjee, said she was lodging a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his announcement of an anti-satellite test on Wednesday, saying he had done it to “reap political benefits” before an election.
“Today’s announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election,” Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal state and a potential prime ministerial candidate, said on Twitter.
She said it was a gross violation of an electoral code of conduct.
“We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission.”
An Election Commission spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
In a television address to the nation, Modi said an Indian missile had shot down an Indian satellite in space.
“Some time ago, our scientists, shot down a live satellite 300 kilometres away in space, in low-earth orbit,” Modi said, calling it a historic feat.
India has had a space programme for years, making earth imaging satellites and launch capabilities as a cheaper alternative to Western programmes.
India’s staggered general election begins on April 11.
