The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notice to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for his speeches in poll-bound Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh last week in which he said Pakistan’s ISI was in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot victims and charged BJP with indulging in politics of hatred.
The BJP had complained to the Commission seeking action against Mr. Gandhi for allegedly violating the code of conduct by appealing for votes on communal lines and inciting hatred among different communities.
The Commission, after examining Mr. Gandhi’s speeches made in Churu, Rajasthan, on October 23 and in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on October 24 and after taking into account the electoral officer’s report, has asked him to explain by Monday why action should not be initiated against him for prima facie violating the model code of conduct.
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are among the five States which go to the polls in November-December this year.
BJP said Mr. Gandhi’s speech in Churu was tuned to incite communal tensions between Hindus and Sikhs and Hindus and Muslims and to appeal for votes in favour of Congress on the basis of communal sentiments.
