Poll panel warns Rahul--Be careful in speeches 

The Election Commission has asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to be more careful and cautious in his public speeches in the wake of his "panauti" (bad omen) and "pickpocket" jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The poll panel was acting on a Delhi High Court directive of December last year. The court had asked the Election Commission to take appropriate action against Rahul Gandhi for his speech on November 22 in which he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “pickpocket”. The court said the statement was “not in good taste” and asked the ECI to act as per law within eight weeks.

The poll panel also asked Rahul Gandhi to follow its recent advisory for star campaigners and political leaders during election campaigning.

In its March 1 advisory, the Election Commission warned that parties, candidates and star campaigners will face stern action for any violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The advisory also warned that party campaigners and candidates, who have received notices in the past, will face strict action for repeat violation of the model code.

Last year, the Election Commission issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi after he used terms like "panauti" and "pickpocket" for PM Modi.