The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently issued a cautionary advisory to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi concerning his remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his public speeches. The advisory was prompted by Gandhi's use of terms like "panauti" (bad omen) and "pickpocket" directed at PM Modi, according to sources familiar with the matter.
After a thorough review of the situation, taking into account a Delhi High Court order and Gandhi's response, the ECI advised Gandhi to exercise greater care and discretion in his future public statements.
Dated March 1, the advisory from the Election Commission (EC) underscored that parties, candidates, and star campaigners would face severe consequences, rather than just moral reprimands, for any breaches of the Model Code of Conduct.
Furthermore, the EC emphasized that star campaigners and candidates who had previously received notices would face stringent action for repeated violations of the model code.
Last year, the EC had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi following his use of terms like "panauti" and "pickpocket" in reference to the prime minister.
Gandhi's "pickpocket" remark was made during a campaign speech prior to the Rajasthan elections, where he alleged that while industrialist Gautam Adani was allegedly picking people's pockets, Modi was diverting public attention.
In response to this incident, the EC issued a show cause notice to Gandhi regarding his remarks and requested a formal response.
In addition, the Delhi High Court had, on December 21, urged the commission to adjudicate on the notice it had served to Gandhi regarding these comments, expressing disapproval of the Congress leader's remarks made during a speech in November 2023.
Following a comprehensive review of the matter, which included Gandhi's comments such as "jebkatra" (pickpocket) and "pannauti", along with the court's directive and Gandhi's reply, the Election Commission advised Gandhi to exercise greater caution in his future public engagements, as per a source speaking to PTI.
In its show cause notice to Gandhi, the EC pointed out that the term "panauti" prima facie violated Section 123(2) (pertaining to corrupt practices) of the Representation of People Act. It also referenced the model code of conduct, which prohibits parties and candidates from making unfounded allegations or distortions when criticizing other parties or their members.
The November 2023 notice stated: “A complaint has been received from the BJP (copy enclosed) alleging that you, on 22nd November 2023 in a public meeting at Bayatu, District Barmer, Rajasthan made wild allegations and spoke derisively and obnoxiously about the Prime Minister. It is alleged that comparing a PM to a ‘Jaibkatra’ (pickpocket) and using the word ‘Panauti’ is unbecoming of a very senior leader of a National Political Party.”
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