Rahul Gandhi replies to EC notice,claims didn’t violate model code of conduct

The EC had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi on October 31 for his speeches in which he had said Pakistan’s ISI was in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot victims and charged BJP with indulging in politics of hatred.

BJP had complained to the Commission seeking action against Gandhi for allegedly violating the code of conduct by appealing for votes on communal lines and inciting hatred among different communities.

The opposition party had handed over a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner,seeking withdrawal of recognition given to Congress as a national party and also demanding action against the party’s Vice President for violating the code.

Citing excerpts from Gandhi’s speech made in Churu in Rajasthan,BJP had said its tone and tenor was to incite communal hatred and tension between Hindus-Sikhs and Hindus-Muslims and make an appeal for votes in favour of Congress on the basis of communal sentiments.

The model code prescribes that “no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities,religious or linguistic”.

It also states that “criticism of other political parties…based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided” and that “there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes”.

(With PTI Inputs)