The Election Commission on Saturday sought explanations from the party presidents of the BJP and the Congress – the two principal rival parties at the national level – asking them to explain the comments made by their star campaigners Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi. The comments allegedly violate the poll code.
JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge have to submit their responses by 1 am on Monday, two days before polls close for Maharashtra and Jharkhand (which will be conducting round two of polling).
The BJP had filed a complaint on November 11 against Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the Congress leader “falsely accused other states of stealing and snatching alleged opportunities from the State of Maharashtra”.
“Rahul Gandhi with his statements is inciting the youths of Maharashtra which is immensely dangerous for the unity and integrity of the nation. As only expected and in line with his typical pattern of campaigning and general conduct, Rahul Gandhi’s speech was full of falsehood and lies, intending to create disaffection, enmity and ill-will between the states of Union of India. Rahul Gandhi with his misleading statement has tried to create a divide between the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat & other states,” said the BJP in its complaint.
