NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Maharashtra polls, BJP has approached EC, accusing Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge of violating the model code of conduct (MCC). On November 6, during a rally in Maharashtra, Gandhi made “objectionable” statements, BJP said in its formal complaint on Monday.
The BJP’s complaint highlights what it describes as “gross violations” of the MCC and relevant electoral laws, emphasising that Gandhi’s comments reflect a “malicious and slanderous campaign” against the party. The complaint specifically accuses Gandhi of spreading false information about BJP and its ideological parent, RSS.
According to BJP, Gandhi claimed that BJP and RSS intend to “erase” the Constitution. Additionally, Gandhi reportedly alleged that only members of RSS can qualify for high-ranking university positions, disregarding other qualifications.
BJP requested EC to “reprimand, censure and restrain Gandhi from handing out lies” from making further statements during the campaigning that BJP considers unfounded. The party also sought an FIR against Kharge and Gandhi for what it views as a persistent campaign to mislead the electorate.
The complaint argues “Gandhi with his statements is inciting youths of Maharashtra which is immensely dangerous for the unity and integrity of the nation”.
Among the statements flagged, Gandhi allegedly claimed that industries like Apple and Boeing are relocating operations to other states at Maharashtra’s expense, a claim the BJP calls “unverified” and “misleading”.
BJP carrying out vicious communal propaganda: Congress
Accusing the governing BJP of vicious communal propaganda in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, Congress Monday said the Election Commission has accepted the party’s complaints about specific instances of campaign violations and ordered FIRs to be lodged. The party demanded that BJP be censured if the communal advertisements continue in the future.
A Congress delegation met EC with eight complaints, and claimed that the poll watchdog accepted all its eight petitions as valid and initiated proceedings to redress the grievances. The EC later in a statement said, that an FIR has been registered for posting false and misleading videos on ‘BJ Jharkhand’ social media platform.
Lok Sabha MP Sasikanth Senthil, who led the Congress team, said the party told the watchdog that there is a pattern in the communal propaganda through social media posts by the BJP, which happens even without elections, and the only objective is to divide society for political advantage. “It is way beyond what the country is used to. We told EC that if this is repeated, then there should be strong strictures against this party,” he added.
Senthil said while the advertisements in Jharkhand social media were very communal, the one on the official party handle in Maharashtra showed a Congress leader and a community in very bad light. He added that EC ordered that the advertisements and posts be taken down and also ordered police cases to be filed. Also, Congress said it repeated the earlier complaint that a governor (Raghubar Das) is involved in the political campaign in Jharkhand. “The ECI promised to take cognisance and order a probe,” the party added.