Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday was given four more days to respond to the Election Commission (EC) notice, that charged him with violating model code of conduct for his remark that Pakistan’s ISI was in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot victims, during an election speech in Rajasthan.
The Gandhi scion was on October 31 asked to submit his reply by 11 am on November 4. But, he sent a request to Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath on Sunday seeking an additional one-week time for his response due to hectic campaigning and festivals.
The full Commission met to consider this request but agreed to grant only four more days. The Commission’s letter to Gandhi said, “The Commission has considered your request for extension of time for submitting your reply to the commission’s Notice...Has decided to extend the time for reply to the said Notice up to 1100 hrs on November 8, 2013 (Friday).”
In two of the election campaign speeches given by Rahul at Churu (Rajasthan) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh), EC noticed prima facie violation of model code of conduct. A complaint was filed by the BJP seeking action against the Congress vice-president for trying to disturb the communal harmony in the society by accusing the BJP of engineering violence across the country. He even proclaimed that the ISI of Pakistan was getting in touch with Muslim youths affected during the Muzaffarnagar riots as a result of the BJP’s hate politics.
Rahul said he had received the EC notice only at 9.30 pm on October 31 and hardly had time to consult his lawyers on the issue.
The Congress leader also cited prior travel commitments for not responding to the notice within the stipulated time.The model code prescribes that “no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic”.
It also states that, “criticism of other political parties...Based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided” and that “there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes”.
The BJP in its complaint to the EC demanded action against the Congress leader for appealing for votes on communal lines and inciting hatred among different communities. In its memorandum, the Opposition party even sought withdrawal of recognition given to Congress as a national party.