Lok Sabha Elections 2014: Rahul Gandhi denies model code violation, says he quoted facts

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi has denied any violation of model code of conduct as claimed by BJP for his reported remark that if the saffron party came to power, 22,000 people will be killed in violence, saying he had quoted facts available in public domain.

In reply to the Election Commission's show cause notice, the Congress vice-president said he was referring to deaths in terrorist violence during the BJP-led NDA regime, figures which are available on various websites.

According to the notice issued by the poll panel, Rahul had, while addressing an election rally in Himachal Pradesh, reportedly said, "People from Japan ask me... they say we are scared over one issue. We will help you, we will prepare roads. But we are scared whether there will be peace... they say whether people of India will fight with each other or not? This fear is there in our lives as well. If there is BJP, there will be violence. If there is BJP, 22,000 people will die, because they spread anger... this question was never raised before."

BJP had moved the EC against Rahul's reported comment. The poll panel had reminded the Congress vice-president of the provision in the model code which states that no party or candidate should indulge in any activity which may aggravate differences or create mutual hatred.

The show cause notice also referred to the provision which refrains parties and candidates from making distorted or unverified allegations and limits their criticism to policies and programmes of rival parties.

The EC had asked Rahul to respond to the notice by Tuesday. But on his request, the commission extended the deadline till the morning of May 15.