JOIN USThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan on Thursday sent a petition to the Election Commission against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, calling his speech at Churu and Alwar a violation of the model code of conduct.
In his speech, Gandhi had alleged that the saffron party followed a policy of disseminating hate among various communities, sparking off a furore among BJP leaders.
In a memorandum submitted to the chief electoral officer on Thursday, the party said Rahul’s speech accuses the BJP of instigating communal riots in Gujarat, Kashmir and Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. He also accused the BJP of inciting hatred between Hindus and Muslims and stoking riots.
They alleged that Rahul committed a crime by promoting hatred for the BJP amongst Hindus to gain the votes of a particular community, which violates the model code of conduct.
Rahul Gandhi tried to vitiate communal atmosphere in the country through his utterances and a criminal case should be registered against him, the petition read.
BJP state spokesman Kailash Nath Bhutt said, “As per the model code of conduct, criticism of political parties is allowed but not unsubstantiated allegations.”
“We request the Election Commission to derecognise the Congress party and freeze its party symbol,” the party demanded. The BJP leaders also submitted a recording of the Congress vice-president’s speech.