BJP urges the ECI to take action against Rahul Gandhi over his ‘match fixing’ comment

The remarks were ‘extremely objectionable’ as they were ‘not just in violation of the model code of conduct but could have serious implications’, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said

A BJP delegation, comprising Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and senior BJP leaders Arun Singh and Om Pathak, talk to the media after meeting the Election Commission of India at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi on April 1, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Opposition INDIA bloc rally accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “match fixing” the 2024 Lok Sabha through the use of enforcement agencies against Opposition leaders, the BJP urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take the “strictest action”. 

A BJP delegation comprising Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and BJP national general secretary Arun Singh lodged the complaint against Mr. Gandhi with the ECI. 

Addressing reporters after their meeting with EC officials, Mr. Puri said Mr. Gandhi’s comments during the public meeting were “extremely objectionable” as they were “not just in violation of the model code of conduct but could have serious implications”.

“Addressing the public meeting yesterday, Rahul Gandhi said this [the Lok Sabha election] is a fixed match. He also said that the Central government has deployed its people in the Election Commission. He also raised questions on the credibility of the EVMs (electronic voting machines) and said the Constitution will be cancelled (changed) after elections,” Mr. Puri said. 

“We urged the Election Commission to take strictest action against Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders, and those of the Opposition’s INDIA alliance,” he added. 

Mr. Singh accused Mr. Gandhi of repeatedly making such comments, and said the ECI should consider censuring him from speaking during the Lok Sabha elections as the Congress leader would not stop making such remarks.