The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting in Rajasthan on Tuesday.
During the rally, Gandhi had referred to Modi as “Panauti Modi,” a derogatory term that insinuates that the Prime Minister brings misfortune wherever he goes. The EC has taken note of these remarks and has sought a clarification from Gandhi.
In its notice, the EC has stated that Gandhi’s remarks may violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which is a set of guidelines that political parties and candidates must adhere to during election campaigns. The MCC prohibits the use of language that is likely to promote enmity or hatred between different classes or communities.
The EC has asked Gandhi to respond to its notice by November 25, 2023. If the EC finds that Gandhi’s remarks have violated the MCC, it could take action against him, including barring him from campaigning for a certain period of time.
Gandhi’s remarks have been criticized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused him of using derogatory language and of trying to create a negative atmosphere during the election campaign. The BJP has also demanded that the EC take strict action against Gandhi.
The Congress has defended Gandhi’s remarks, stating that he was merely expressing his opinion and that his words should not be taken literally. The Congress has also accused the BJP of trying to politicize the issue and of diverting attention from real issues.
The EC’s notice to Gandhi is a reminder to all political parties and candidates that they must adhere to the MCC during the election campaign. The MCC is in place to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and free manner, and that voters are able to make their decisions without being influenced by hate speech or other forms of intimidation.