Lok Sabha polls 2024: EC seeks response by Apr 29 from Modi, Rahul on code of conduct violations
File photos of PM Narendra Modi (left) and Rahul Gandhi (right).
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday (Apr 25) took cognizance of the allegedModel Code of Conduct (MCC) violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and asked them to give responses by April 29.
Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congresslevelled allegations against each other of causing hatred and division based on religion, caste, community, or language.
ANI news agency reported that ECI invoked section 77of the Representation of the People Act and held party presidents responsible, as a first step, to rein in star campaigners.
The MCC violation allegations against Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi havebeen exchangedwith BJP National President JP Nadda and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Response sought by Apr 29
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The poll body has sought a response by 11 am onApril 29.
"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," it added.
The alleged MCCviolations
On Monday (April 22), the BJP alleged that Gandhi was making a false claim about the rise in poverty in the country and urged the EC to take "strict action" against him.
The BJP also accused Gandhi of continuing to create a North-South divide in the country on the basis of language and region to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
Also watch |Opposition raises alarm over PM Modi's 'hate' speech in Rajasthan
The Congress, meanwhile, approached the poll body on Monday demanding action over Modi's claim that the Congress, if it came to power, would redistribute India's wealth in favour of Muslims.
In a letter, the Congress said it wished "to highlight the completely unprecedented and malicious allegations as well statements which are clearly aimed at creating enmity between groups, far worse than any ever made by a sitting Prime Minister in the history of India."
"Our PM had given a speech in Rajasthan, which targets a particular community which may snatch our national resources. That communityis linkedwith infiltrators. His allegations about an attack on Mangalsutras are again a religious link.It is a blatant violation of ECI circular," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said after meeting the poll body, NDTV reported.
(With inputs from agencies)