BJP requests a week more; it may point out that PM speaks 'on basis of facts'

New Delhi: BJP has sought one week more from the Election Commission of India to respond to the notice sent to party President JP Nadda over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial remarks at a campaign speech in Rajasthan's Banswara. ECI had issued notice to Nadda on April 25 and had asked him to reply by 11 am on April 29.

BJP sources told ET that the party was preparing a reply underlining that the PM spoke on the basis of facts.

The commission's move stood out as for the first time a political party was asked to respond to an alleged model code violation by a prime minister.


Earlier in the day, BJP lodged a complaint with ECI against Congress, alleging that it circulated a "deep fake and morphed" video of home minister Amit Shah to derail the poll process. The party has demanded strict action against Congress. A BJP delegation comprising Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the party's national media department in-charge Anil Baluni also complained against Trinamool Congress, alleging that chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led party was indulging in violence in West Bengal. It demanded that ECI ensure free and fair elections in the state.

While serving a notice to BJP on April 25, the poll panel had attached a copy of complaints against the PM's speech made by Congress and CPIM. Both the parties had termed the PM's remarks 'hate speech' violative of model code of conduct.