ECI notice to Kharge over PM remark
As the BJP stepped up its attack on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his ‘terrorist’ remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by complaining to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the poll watchdog on Wednesday took a “serious note” by issuing “stern notice”. Kharge has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours. The notice comes a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Kharge on Tuesday accused PM Modi of “terrorising” political parties by misusing Government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which attacked the opposition leader for calling Modi a “terrorist”. Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a “terrorist” while criticising the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP and later on clarified that he meant that Modi was terrorising the political parties.
“He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and Government machinery and abusing, maligning opposition parties,” Kharge said.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and top BJP leaders approached Nirvachan Sadan demanding immediate action against Kharge's foul language against the PM. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and BJP national general secretary Arun Singh were also part of the delegation.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the ECI, Sitharaman said BJP leaders appeared before the full commission to bring to its notice that no less a person than the president of the Congress and the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha has spoken in such condemnable words.
“It’s an insult to the mandate given by the people of India (to Prime Minister Modi). More importantly, it is an insult to the entire system where people choose their leader through elections, and once chosen, he is the leader for the entire country,” Sitharaman said.
She also alleged that the Congress is “completely frustrated” and making such remarks against the prime minister amid Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal because of its “deep hatred” towards Modi.
“We have demanded that the ECI take the matter in all seriousness. We requested the poll panel to act firmly and sternly,” she said.
Rijiju, who was also part of the delegation, termed the remark a “disgusting act” by Kharge. “We have demanded the strictest action. We have also demanded that Kharge and the Congress be directed to apologise to the country,” Rijiju told reporters.
In a memorandum to the poll panel, the BJP also demanded that “suitable penal and regulatory proceedings” be initiated against Kharge for his remark under various sections of the BNS, and “appropriate campaign restrictions” be imposed on him.
