Election Commission issues notices to Congress and BJP over Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah speeches

The Election Commission of India has issued notices to the presidents of the BJP and Congress, seeking explanations for allegedly violating the model code of conduct with their campaign speeches. BJP’s JP Nadda and Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge have been asked to submit their responses by 1 a.m. on Monday, just two days before the second round of polling for Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections.

The controversy revolves around speeches made by two of the parties’ star campaigners – BJP’s Amit Shah and Congress’ Rahul Gandhi. Both parties have accused each other’s leaders of making statements that violate the electoral code, which prohibits spreading misinformation, hate, or inciting division between states or communities.

The BJP filed a formal complaint on November 11 against Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress leader of making divisive statements during a speech in Mumbai on November 6. The complaint claims that Gandhi falsely accused other states of depriving Maharashtra of opportunities, and further alleged that his remarks were inciting the youth of Maharashtra, potentially threatening the unity and integrity of the nation. The BJP alleges that Gandhi’s speech was designed to create discord between the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat, as well as other states.

In response, the Congress lodged its own complaint, this time targeting BJP Home Minister Amit Shah. The Congress claimed that Shah made divisive, misleading, and slanderous statements at a rally in Dhanbad on November 12. According to the Congress, Shah accused the INC and its allies of being against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He also allegedly alleged that the INC was planning to strip these communities of their reservations and give them to a religious minority group. The Congress asserts that such statements were intended to inflame communal tensions and consolidate votes along religious lines.

The Election Commission has stated that the model code of conduct requires political speeches to focus on policies and programs, not on creating division or spreading hatred based on caste, religion, or regional differences. The code also specifies that criticism should be limited to a party’s work, record, and policies, not to personal or defamatory attacks.

The responses from BJP and Congress are eagerly awaited as the election season heats up, with votes for Maharashtra and Jharkhand set to be counted on November 23. The Election Commission’s actions reflect the ongoing concern about the conduct of political campaigns, especially in highly contested and sensitive regions.