EC takes note of MCC violations by PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi; seeks response from BJP, Cong chiefs

The Election Commission of India on Thursday took cognizance of the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for inciting hatred and spreading false information.

Seeking a response from both BJP and Congress by April 29, the poll body said in a statement, “Political parties will have to take primary responsibility for the conduct of their candidates, star campaigners in particular. Campaign speeches by those holding high positions are of more serious consequences.”

Two separate letters were sent to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP President JP Nadda, asking them to direct star campaigners to practice “high standards of political discourse.”

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Both parties have accused each other of inciting hatred and division based on religion, caste and community. Party presidents have been held responsible under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act.

What was BJP’s accusation?

Earlier this week, the saffron party accused Congress’ Rahul Gandhi of making misleading claims about India’s poverty, asking the EC to take “strict action” against him.

BJP delegation comprising national general secretary Tarun Chugh said, “Rahul Gandhi is running a false campaign that 20 crore more people have become poor in the country while he doesn’t have any evidence to back his claim.”

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What was Congress’ accusation?

Meanwhile, the grand old party accused PM Modi of trying to create differences between religions by his speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara, where he said, “Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children. It will be distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?”

“The only available remedy compatible with the principle of zero tolerance towards allegations of corrupt practices, is the disqualification of the candidates who try to create a divide between different classes of the citizens of India regardless of the stature or position of that candidate,” the Congress memorandum to EC said.