The Election Commission has issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi for his “panauti” remark against PM Modi. Gandhi made the comments during an election speech in Rajasthan, referencing Modi’s attendance at the World Cup cricket final, in which India lost to Australia after 10 consecutive wins in the tournament. The Election Commission has asked Rahul Gandhi to reply to the notice by 6 December.
The BJP on Wednesday urged the Election Commission to take action against Rahul Gandhi for his “spinning” and “pickpocketing” remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recalled an incident involving Indira Gandhi’s criticism of the Indian hockey team during the 1982 Asian Games final and highlighted the paradox of encouragement to cricket players after their defeat in the World Cup final.
During his speech in Rajasthan, Gandhi used the word “panauti” to criticise Modi for attending the World Cup cricket final. Additionally, the BJP referenced Gandhi’s ‘pickpocketing’ remarks during an election speech in Madhya Pradesh, where he accused the Prime Minister of diverting attention while industrialist Gautam Adani was allegedly engaged in pickpocketing.
In its memorandum to the Election Commission, the BJP stressed the need for criminal proceedings against Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for spreading lies and displaying lack of respect for moral values and electoral laws. He urged the Election Commission to immediately intervene and take legal action to stop the spread of abusive language, false news and defamation during the electoral process. The BJP warned that failure to act could have a detrimental impact on the election environment.
Actually, Rahul Gandhi, while addressing an election rally in Baitoo (Barmer), Rajasthan, introduced the PM as Panauti. Not only this, Rahul Gandhi’s sister Priyanka taunted PM Modi that PM Modi had gone to watch the final match only so that if the Indian team wins the match, he can take the credit for it himself and get it for the party.
Earlier in 2019, in an election rally in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi had also commented why all Modi are thieves. In this comment also he had taken the name of Narendra Modi.
Rahul Gandhi has been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in this case. He is on bail from the Supreme Court in this case.
However, in Rajasthan, the PM means Panauti Modi case has not reached the court, but Vineet Jindal, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, has given a complaint to the Delhi Police and requested to register the case against Rahul Gandhi.
