 |
|
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress party of conducting a “malicious and slanderous” election campaign in Maharashtra, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The BJP's accusations stem from a memorandum submitted to the ECI, alleging that Gandhi’s remarks during a poll campaign in Mumbai on November 6, 2024, were false and intended to incite discontent among the public.
Specifically, the BJP takes issue with Gandhi’s claim that an iPhone factory and a Boeing unit were moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat. They argue this statement is false and aimed at inciting inter-state rivalry. The BJP also alleges that Gandhi made baseless claims about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP’s intention to abolish the Constitution. They further criticize Gandhi’s statement that RSS membership, rather than merit, is the qualification for appointing vice-chancellors.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Arjun Ram Meghwal, who presented the memorandum to the ECI, stated that Gandhi’s remarks were an attempt to spread falsehoods and create division between states. He highlighted Gandhi’s previous instances of provoking division between states on issues such as language and investments, despite showcause notices issued by the ECI. The BJP urges the ECI to register an FIR against Gandhi for these violations.
The BJP also accuses Gandhi of inciting youth in Maharashtra with his remarks, claiming this poses a danger to national unity. The BJP points out that Maharashtra has actually topped the country in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), receiving ₹70,795 crore between April and June 2024-25. In their submission, the BJP requests the ECI to reprimand Gandhi and prevent him from making further false claims during the remaining election campaign. They also demand an FIR against both Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi under sections of the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The BJP delegation submitting the memorandum included Meghwal, party national general secretary Arun Singh, senior leader Sanjay Mayukh, and national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla. The ECI is yet to respond to the BJP's allegations and demands. This incident adds another layer of tension to the already heated political climate in Maharashtra ahead of the upcoming state elections.
Source: Maharashtra elections: BJP urges EC to file FIR against Kharge, Gandhi over 'malicious' campaign