EC pulls up Karnataka CM Siddharamaiah for using derogatory word against Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission today admonished Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah for using "derogatory" word against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during campaigning in the state.

The Commission rejected the explanation offered by Siddharamaiah on the use of language against Modi and asked him to be "extremely careful" in future.

"Your explanation relating to the use of the word against the leader of a major political party has not been accepted, as that explanation has been specifically used to criticize Sh Narendra Modi personally and not by way of criticizing his Government policies.

"Now, therefore, the Commission has decided to admonish you for the derogatory word used by you against Sh Narendra Modi and has further advised you to be extremely careful in future," the EC order said.

Siddharamaiah, while campaigning in Mysore on March 23, had termed Modi as a "Narahantaka" (mass murderer).

"...actually he is not Narendra Modi, he is a Narahantaka," he had said as per the EC order.

The Commission while serving a notice on him had observed that his statement prima facie violated provisions of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

As per the MCC, no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, communities, religion or linguistic grounds.

Their criticism of other political parties should be confined to their policies and programmes, past record and work and parties and candidates should refrain from criticism of their private life not connected with the public activity. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion should also be avoided.

Siddharamaiah had also promised to adopt a village, an announcement considered as a violation of model code. The EC, however, accepted his explanation on the issue.