New Delhi: The Election Commission issued a notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over “terrorist” remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remarks were made at a press conference in Chennai ahead of Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu.
The action was taken after a delegation consisting of Union Ministers – Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal – and other BJP leaders met the Election Commission and issued complaints on Kharge’s “terrorist” remark on the PM.
What Kharge said in press conference?
“How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won’t believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sitharaman said as per PTI, “Today, we appeared before the full commission to bring to its notice that no less a person than the president of the Congress and the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha has spoken in such condemnable words”.
“It’s an insult to the mandate given by the people of India (to Prime Minister Modi). More importantly, it is an insult to the entire system where people choose their leader through elections, and once chosen, he is the leader for the entire country,” she added.
Congress ‘completely frustrated’: Sitharaman
The Finance Minister, while alleging that the Congress is “completely frustrated” said that making such statement against the Prime minister showed Congress’ “deep hatred” for Modi. ““We have demanded that the Election Commission take the matter in all seriousness. We requested the poll panel to act firmly and sternly,” she added further.
“We have demanded the strictest action. We have also demanded that Kharge and the Congress be directed to apologise to the country,” Rijiju added further.