- Calls it ‘a litmus test’ for the poll body’s capacity and willingness to enforce laws
- Gujarat Congress seeks FIR against Karnataka BJP leader Rathod for ‘threat’ remarks against Kharge
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, AHMEDABAD, MAY 9
The Congress, on Tuesday, petitioned the Election Commission seeking immediate action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his appeals to Karnataka voters “in violation” of the model code, and said it was “a litmus test” for the poll body’s capacity and willingness to enforce laws.
Hopping on this trend, here's our contribution to the – "Drop something Red from your gallery challenge"#CongressBaralidePragatiTaralide pic.twitter.com/XfZG7dBOVo
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 9, 2023
In a lengthy complaint to the chief election commissioner, Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala asked the commission whether it will remain a “mute and helpless spectator” or fulfil its constitutional duty and act against the prime minster.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಮತದಾರರಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರಗಳು,
ಮೇ 10 ರಂದು ತಾವು ದಯಮಾಡಿ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಹಸ್ತದ ಗುರುತಿಗೆ ಮತ ನೀಡುವುದರ ಮೂಲಕ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದ ಮಾಡಾಬೇಕಾಗಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಮಗನಾಗಿ ವಿನಂತಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.#ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್_ಬರಲಿದೆ_ಪ್ರಗತಿ_ತರಲಿದೆ pic.twitter.com/0yLglCSxI5
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 9, 2023
“Do the laws apply to prime minister or not and if ECI has the capacity and willingness to enforce such mandate or remain a helpless bystander? Truly a litmus test for ECI,” Surjewala asked in a tweet.
The Congress also raised objections to comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J.P. Nadda and other senior BJP leaders.
1️⃣ Yuva Nidhi: Assistance
2️⃣ Anna Bhagya: Sustenance
3️⃣ Gruha Jyothi: Affordability
4️⃣ Uchita Prayana: Accessibility
5️⃣ Gruha Lakshmi: EmpowermentCongress’ #5GuaranteesPratigne will relieve people of Karnataka from the pain BJP’s 40% Commission Sarkara has inflicted on them. pic.twitter.com/HeBgaQQbzZ
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 9, 2023
“One thing is extremely clear…(they) consider themselves above the law and the Constitution and presume that the ECI is either intimidated by the high offices they hold or that the ECI is too weak to act against them or hold them accountable for blatant and repeated violations of the model code…as well as various other electoral laws,” the party wrote to the poll panel.
The Congress raised objections to Prime Minister Modi’s appeal to the voters of Karnataka after the campaign ended Monday evening and said it was “flagrant and defiant violations” of the model code of conduct. The polling will be held on Wednesday.
Making a strong pitch for the return of the BJP government in Karnataka a day before polling, Prime Minister Modi said the affection he received in the state over the last few days has been unparalleled and it has strengthened the resolve to make it number one across all sectors.
In its complaint, the Congress said, “…with all humility that this is a litmus test for this Hon’ble Election Commission of India to exercise its constitutional duty under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and hold those in power accountable. The alternative is clear. They will be no level-playing field and instead there will be ‘free for all’, with those in power never being held accountable either to the ECI or to the rule of law.”
“An unwritten but accepted norm would be that the ECI’s mandate extends only to opposition parties and not to the PM and his colleagues,” it charged.
Sharing the complaint on social media, Surjewala said, “Our Complaint to ECI on flagrant and defiant violations by Prime Minister Modi urging them to take action or be historically remembered for inaction and diluting the authority of ECI forever.”
The party said the prime minister issued two video messages to Karnataka voters since the campaign ended—one after 11 pm on Monday and another Tuesday.
“If Prime Minister flouts electoral laws and code of conduct for elections with impunity, brazenly and in utter disregard of ECI directives…if Prime Minister flouts the ‘silence period’…if Prime Minister attempts to influence voters for electoral gains during the prohibited period, should the ECI remain a mute and helpless spectator or act on its constitutional duty…,” Surjewala tweeted.
Forty-eight hours before the end of polling are considered the silence period.
The party demanded that the Election Commission initiate appropriate proceedings against Modi, Shah, Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP.
“It may be mentioned that if convicted under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, these leaders will stand disqualified from their respective membership in the Parliament as well as the legislative assembly,” according to the Congress complaint.
“We hope the Commission treats this matter with the attention that it deserves and initiates immediate action to take the issue forward,” the complaint sent to the CEC said.
In his appeals, Prime Minister Modi sought blessings of the people of Karnataka in the mission to make the state the number one in the country.
“Dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream. Your resolve is my resolve. When we come together and set our minds to a goal, no force in the world can stop us,” he said on Twitter.
In an appeal to “brothers and sisters” of the state, he sought their blessings in the mission of making Karnataka the number one state in the country, Modi said.
“My appeal is for the bright future of Karnataka. It is for the bright future of your family, especially the younger generations,” Modi said.
Gujarat Cong seeks FIR against Karnataka BJP leader for ‘threat’ remarks against Kharge
The opposition Congress in Gujarat on Tuesday demanded registration of an FIR by the state police against Manikanta Rathod, a BJP candidate in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, claiming he had threatened to kill party president Mallikarjun Kharge and his family.
The Congress had on May 6 shared an audio purportedly of Rathod, the BJP candidate from the Chittapur Assembly constituency of Karnataka, in which he was heard saying in Kannada that he will wipe out “Kharge, his wife, and children.” Citing that audio clip, Congress leaders handed over a memorandum, seeking registration of an FIR against Rathod, to all the 33 district Superintendents of Police in Gujarat on Tuesday.
In Ahmedabad, Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor handed over the memorandum to in-charge city police commissioner, Premvir Singh.
As per the memorandum, Rathod’s purported statement has hurt the sentiments of the people in Gujarat and the law and order situation may deteriorate in the state if strict action was not taken against the BJP leader.
The Congress has demanded that Rathod be booked under various sections of the IPC which deal with “hate speech” and criminal intimidation such as 153(A), 295(A), 505, 506 and also criminal conspiracy (120B).
In Gandhinagar, a delegation led by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Amit Chavda handed over the memorandum to police officials in the state capital.
“Rathod identifies himself as a blue-eyed boy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders of Karnataka. Kharge belongs to a Dalit family and he is very popular in Karnataka. Unhappy with the Congress’ soaring graph in Karnataka, Rathod had said he will kill Kharge and his family,” alleged Chavda.
“People associated with the Congress are angry and aghast because a BJP leader is conspiring to kill Kharge. Thus, through this memorandum, we urged the Gujarat police to lodge a complaint against Rathod,” Chavda added.
