Complaints Against PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi: Poll Body's Notice To Parties

The Election Commission on Thursday issued notices to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, days after the two rivals traded allegations of Model Code violations in poll speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi.

The poll panel has sought a response from the presidents of the two parties - the BJP's JP Nadda and the Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge - by 11 am Monday, April 29.

It is significant that neither notice named the senior leaders against whom complaints had been made - i.e., the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi. Also, each notice contained copies of the rival's complaint.

It is also significant that, for the first time, party bosses have been held accountable for violations in a campaign speech. This is under Section 77 of the Representation of People Act, which allows parties to name 'star campaigners' and they, therefore, have been called on to regulate their speeches.

In a two-page statement issued this morning, the ECI declared "'star campaigners' (Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi have been listed as such) are expected to contribute to a higher quality of discourse... which sometimes gets distorted in the heat of the contests at the local level".

The ECI said that it is of the "considered view parties will have to take primary and increasing responsibility for the conduct of their candidates in general, and star campaigners in particular".

"Campaign speeches by those holding high positions are of more serious consequence."

The EC also said that "while individual star campaigners will continue to remain responsible for speeches made, the commission will address party presidents/head of party on a case-to-case basis".

The Congress had lodged a complaint with the ECI against the Prime Minister for his remarks at a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on April 21. At the rally, PM Modi said the Congress, if voted to power, could distribute the nation's wealth among "infiltrators" and "those who have more children" - a reference to the Muslim community. The Prime Minister has gone on to repeat the allegations at subsequent rallies in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

While, the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking "firm action" against Rahul Gandhi over his claim that poverty had increased in the nation. The BJP has also accused Rahul Gandhi of creating a rift between India's North and South based on language and region.