The Election Commission (EC) issued a show-cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and asked him to respond Saturday. The notice was in response to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) complaint against the former Congress president for using “unbecoming” language.
In his recent rallies in poll-bound Rajasthan, Gandhi used the words “panauti,” “pickpocket,” and alleged that Modi had granted loan waivers to the super-rich. The BJP contested the claims, stating that the allegations were “not borne out on facts.”
The EC reminded Gandhi that the Model Code of Conduct prohibits leaders from making unverified allegations against political rivals. The notice also referenced a Supreme Court observation about the balance between freedom of speech and expression and the right to reputation. The EC requested Gandhi to explain the allegations and to show cause as to why action should not be initiated for the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct and relevant penal provisions.
The Commission set a deadline for Gandhi’s response, stating that if no reply is received the specified time, appropriate action would be taken. This development highlights the increasing focus on maintaining the decorum of political discourse during electioneering, as expressed in a previous general advisory issued the EC.