The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi “panauti” (unlucky) and “jaibkatra” (pickpocket).
The poll body has asked Gandhi to reply to the notice by 6pm on Saturday.
The notice was served to him based on a complaint by the BJP for his remarks at a public rally in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. In the election rally, he blamed the Prime Minister for Team India’s loss at ICC World Cup 2023 and said “PM means–Panauti Modi”.
“It is alleged that comparing a Prime Minister to a ‘Jaibkatra‘ (pick pocket) and using the word ‘Pannauti‘ is unbecoming of a very senior leader of the National Political Party. Further, the allegation of grant of waivers of Rs 14,00,000 crore for the past nine years, is asserted by the BJP, as not borne out on facts. Furthermore, they are allegedly in violation of Section 123 (4) of the R. P. Act, Section 171G, 504, 505 (2), and 499 of IPC and provisions of Model Code of Conduct,” the notice said.
On Wednesday, a BJP delegation went to the poll body seeking action against Gandhi for his jibes.
“Comparing a Prime Minister to a ‘Jaibkatra’ and ‘Pannauti’ is most unbecoming of any senior leader and is a symptom of plummeting levels of political discourse. Calling any person for that instance a ‘Jaibkatra’ not only amounts to vicious abuse and personal attack but also a character assassination,” they said.
The BJP requested the Election Commission to intervene urgently and take appropriate legal action against Gandhi for his “continued fraudulent, baseless and abusive practice”.
The EC has issued a number of notices to several leaders over their remarks during rallies.
Elections are underway in five states with polling completed in three of these. Voting in Rajasthan (November 25) and Telangana (November 30) will be held in the coming days.
Polling has been completed in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.
Counting of votes in these states will take place on December 3.
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