 |
|
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging violations of the model code of conduct in the lead-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The BJP, in a memorandum submitted to the ECI, accused the Congress leaders of engaging in a “malicious and slanderous” campaign against the party, claiming their remarks during a November 6 campaign event in Mumbai were designed to spread misinformation and incite divisions between states.
The BJP's complaint centered around Gandhi's statements during the Mumbai rally. He claimed that several major projects, including the iPhone factory and a Boeing unit, had been moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat. Gandhi also leveled accusations against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, alleging that they were attempting to “finish the Constitution” and that RSS membership, rather than merit, was the deciding factor for vice-chancellor appointments. These statements were deemed inflammatory and potentially divisive by the BJP, particularly the assertion that Gujarat had “stolen” opportunities from Maharashtra.
Union minister and senior BJP leader Arjun Ram Meghwal, speaking to reporters after submitting the memorandum, highlighted the BJP's concerns. He stated that Gandhi's remarks aimed to create a sense of antagonism between states by spreading untruths. Meghwal further emphasized that the BJP viewed Gandhi's repeated attempts to pit citizens of different states against each other on issues of language and investments as a deliberate violation of the election code of conduct, despite previous warnings from the ECI. The BJP urged the ECI to register an FIR against both Gandhi and Kharge for their actions.
The BJP's memorandum also drew attention to Maharashtra's strong economic performance, emphasizing that the state had actually led the country in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), receiving a substantial Rs 70,795 crore from April to June 2024-25. This data, the BJP argued, directly contradicted Gandhi's claims about Gujarat allegedly stealing opportunities from Maharashtra. The party asserted that Gandhi's statements were not only false but also potentially harmful, as they could incite division among the youth in Maharashtra and undermine national unity.
The BJP's delegation, which included Meghwal, national general secretary Arun Singh, senior leader Sanjay Mayukh, and national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, presented their case to the Election Commission. The memorandum concluded with a strong request for the ECI to reprimand and restrain Gandhi from making false statements during the remaining election campaign period. The BJP also demanded the registration of FIRs against both Gandhi and Kharge to address what they perceive as serious violations of the model code of conduct.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for a single phase on November 20, with vote counting set for November 23. This incident, however, highlights the escalating tension between the BJP and the Congress in the lead-up to the election. The ECI's response to the BJP's complaint will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the ongoing election campaign and the future of political discourse in the state.