EC serves notice to Sidhu for statements against Modi

The Election Commission on Friday served a notice to cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu – now a minister in Congress Government in Punjab – for making “objectionable statements” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The EC acted against Sidhu after the BJP lodged a complaint against him, accusing him of making objectionable statements against Modi at a rally in Bhopal on April 29.

The poll-panel asked him to submit his explanation by Saturday.

The EC noted that it was of the view that Sidhu had prima-facie violated the Para 2 of Part 1 of the Model Code of Conduct, which required the leaders, candidates and the political parties to avoid criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations.

“After stealing money from all nationalised banks of India, Modi Saheb tells poor people, tells rich people – keep fleeing, keep fleeing,” Sidhu allegedly said apparently referring to Prime Minister, who is also a “star campaigner” of the BJP.

He reiterated the Congress' allegations against Prime Minister and his government on the deal to purchase Rafale fighter jet for Indian Air Force from Dassault Aviation of France. Sidhu called Modi “anti-national” and accused him of doing politics over bodies of deceased soldiers of armed forces of India.

The EC received report from the Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh as well as the transcript of the speech delivered by Sidhu.