We are examining Modi’s Rajasthan speech, says EC
Only remedy is disquali cation of those ‘who try to create a divide between di erent classes of citizens’, Cong. tells the poll body; CPI(M) also seeks action against PM for ‘in€ammatory’ speech
he Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday said it was examining the complaint lodged against a speech made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Rajasthan.
Mr. Modi had said that if elected to power, the Congress would distribute people’s property, land, and gold among Muslims.
Sources said the complaint regarding the Prime Minister’s speech had been received and was under the consideration of the commission.
The Congress approached the poll body on Monday and formally lodged a complaint seeking action against the Prime Minister. It alleged that the Prime Minister invoked religion and religious symbols to create enmity between groups.
“The only available remedy compatible with the principle of zero tolerance towards allegations of corrupt practices is the disqualication of the candidates who try to create a divide between dierent classes of the citizens of India regardless of the sta
Tture or position of that candidate,” the Congress said in its memorandum to the commission.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had written to the Election Commission demanding action against the Prime Minister for making “inammatory” remarks.
The INDIA bloc parties, in a coordinated eort, too had asked citizens to send emails to the poll body raising this issue.
On Monday, the commission declined to comment on the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused the Congress of attempting to reduce the reservation for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes and give it to Muslims in deance of the Constitution.
“As soon as the Congress formed the government at the Centre in 2004, one of its rst tasks was to reduce the SC/ST reservation in Andhra Pradesh and give the quota to Muslims. Between 2004 and 2010, the Congress made four attempts to introduce Muslim reservation in that State, but it could not succeed because of legal impediments and the Supreme Court’s alertness,” Mr. Modi said at an election rally in Tonk district of Rajasthan.