BJP files complaint with EC, demands action against Rahul Gandhi for 'lies' during poll rally

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading false information during his campaign for the upcoming Maharashtra elections. The complaint, filed by BJP leaders, specifically addresses a speech Gandhi delivered in Mumbai on November 6, 2024. In his address, Gandhi alleged that other states were "stealing" and "snatching" opportunities from Maharashtra, including claims that Apple’s iPhones and Boeing’s airplanes were being manufactured in other states at the expense of Maharashtra’s growth. The BJP has called these statements "false and unverified" and demanded that the EC take action against Gandhi for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who led the BJP delegation to meet with the EC, strongly condemned Gandhi's remarks. He said, "We told them Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke lies in Maharashtra." The BJP also provided evidence to counter Gandhi’s claims, pointing to Maharashtra’s top position in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India between April and June 2024. During this period, the state received ₹70,795 crore in FDI, a figure that the BJP argues demonstrates Maharashtra’s continued economic success. The party emphasized that Gandhi’s statements were not only inaccurate but were aimed at misleading voters for political gain.

In its complaint, the BJP expressed concerns that Gandhi’s comments could cause harm by inciting division and resentment among states, particularly between Maharashtra and other regions. The party argued that Gandhi’s rhetoric was part of a broader campaign to create disaffection and enmity among people of different states, which could destabilize the social fabric. The BJP further alleged that Gandhi's false claims were part of a pattern of behavior designed to create discord and polarize voters, further deepening political divisions in Maharashtra as the election approaches.

The BJP also referred to the Election Commission's advisory issued on March 1, 2024, which urged all political parties and their leaders to avoid spreading falsehoods or making misleading statements during election campaigns. The advisory emphasized that political discourse should be centered around "issue-based" debates and not personal attacks or misinformation. The BJP pointed out that despite multiple notices and warnings, Gandhi continued making unverified allegations. As a result, the BJP called for the EC to take strict action against him, including filing an FIR under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to making false statements with the intent to mislead voters.

This complaint follows similar allegations made by the Congress party against the BJP. Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh filed a complaint with the EC over misleading videos circulated by the BJP's Jharkhand unit, which were accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct. The videos contained false claims intended to sway voters in the ongoing Jharkhand Assembly elections.