Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during I.N.D.I.A. bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao Rally' at Ramleela Maidan, in New Delhi, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The BJP on Monday approached the Election Commission of India against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his speech at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday where he said that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are a “fixed match” and that the BJP will amend the Constitution if it comes to power. The BJP asked the EC to take the “strictest action” against Rahul.
In a delegation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and National General Secretary Arun Kumar, the complaint said that Gandhi’s comments were “extremely objectionable” and were in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
“Addressing the public meeting yesterday, Rahul Gandhi said this (LS polls) is a fixed match. He also said that the Central government has deployed its people in the Election Commission. He also raised questions on the credibility of the EVMs and said the Constitution will be cancelled (changed) after elections. We urged the Election Commission to take strictest action against Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders and those of the Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A alliance,” Puri told reporters.
In their complaint, the BJP said that among the statements that he had made, Rahul alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had manipulated electoral outcomes by exerting pressure on the EC.
“Shri Rahul Gandhi went on to assert that the ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), harbors intentions to abrogate the constitution. Such statements not only undermine the democratic principles enshrined in our constitution but also have the potential to incite civil unrest and discord among the populace,” the complaint read.
“Moreover, Shri Rahul Gandhi's warning of breaking up of India in states and destruction of Indian state, is very worrisome. Such rhetoric not only threatens the fabric of our nationhood but also has the potential to incite regional tensions and separatist movements. His call or prediction of anarchy and lawlessness in the event of a particular electoral outcome is mischievous and against the state of India,” it added.
The BJP in its complaint said that the comments violated section 2 (0) of UAPA 1967 (activity that aims to support the cession of a part of the territory and disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity), Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (provocation with intent to cause riot), Section 171G of the IPC Section (false statement in connection with an election), Section 123 (4) of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 (publication of false statement by candidate) besides the Model Code of Conduct.
The ruling party has asked the EC to direct Rahul Gandhi to apologise to the EC and to Modi, as well as register an FIR against him.