The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday against Rahul Gandhi. This came a day after the Congress leader accused the ruling party of 'match-fixing' ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, suggesting that the BJP was 'rigging' the upcoming national elections.
The BJP delegation, led by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and party National General Secretary Arun Singh, urged the poll panel to take 'strict action' against Gandhi.
Speaking to the media after meeting Election Commission officials, Puri criticized Gandhi's statement as 'extremely objectionable.' He emphasized that Gandhi's remarks not only violated the Model Code of Conduct but could also have serious consequences. Puri highlighted that Gandhi alleged the central government deployed its people in the Election Commission and raised doubts about the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Gandhi also suggested that the Constitution would be amended if the BJP won again, according to Puri.
Singh, the BJP's national general secretary, called on the ECI to 'censure' the Wayanad MP. He expressed concern over Gandhi's repeated comments and suggested that the Election Commission should consider restraining him from speaking during the Lok Sabha elections.
The controversy arose after member parties of the Congress-led opposition INDIA bloc held a joint rally in Delhi on Sunday. During the rally, which primarily focused on condemning the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy case, speakers, including Gandhi, criticized the Narendra Modi government for allegedly undermining the country's democracy and 'manipulating' the polls.
