Election Commission issues notice against Narendra Modi over 'Khooni Panja' remark

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has slapped a show-cause notice on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for describing Congress’ election symbol as ‘khooni panja’ (murderous paw) at a rally in Chhattisgarh recently.

Modi has been given time till 5pm on Saturday to respond to the notice.

Simultaneously, EC warned Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi against the tone and tenor he used during his poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The Commission categorically stated that it wasn’t satisfied with Gandhi’s reasons for making the contentious ISI remark and comment on BJP’s role in communal riots.

EC’s rap for Gandhi and notice to Modi comes at a time when politicians have increasingly started resorting to vitriolic personal attacks to woo voters for the upcoming assembly election in five states.

Reacting to the notice to Modi, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said that the party would respond to it within the prescribed deadline. Congress, on the other hand, steered clear of questions whether Rahul Gandhi would apologise in the wake of EC taking exception to the “tone, tenor and content” of his remarks.

“Congress respects the role and independence of the Election Commission. We acknowledge its wisdom. The stand of Congress has been adequately brought out in the reply submitted to the Election Commission by the party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi,” said party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala who also insisted on drawing everyone’s attention to paragraph 19 of Election Commission’s response which recognises the intent and spirit of Rahul Gandhi to promote communal harmony.

Congress on Wednesday also moved the Election Commission seeking “firm action” against Modi over his “CBI and Indian Mujahideen” remarks in a rally in UP, alleging they were “maliciously and mischievously calculated and designed”.