Lok Sabha Elections – ECI Issues Notice To Rahul Gandhi

The Election Commission of India (ECI,) on the 1st of May, issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi, the President of the Indian National Congress (INC,) for his speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the ECI, Rahul Gandhi violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by alleging PM Modi of enacting a law involving tribals, without any proof to substantiate the same.

The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the ECI, which every politician has to follow during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in India. The MCC comes into force after the ECI announces the dates of the elections and continues until the results of the elections are announced.

According to the show cause notice, on the 23rd of April, Mr. Gandhi addressed a public rally in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh and alleged the Modi Government of introducing a law as per which, tribals can be shot dead.

Mr. Gandhi alleged “Narendra Modi Government has made a new law for tribals in which there is a line that says tribals can be shot at...They snatch your land, take away your jungle and water and then say that tribals can be shot at (sic.)”

The ECI said, the Commission received a complaint by Om Pathal and Neeraj of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) who seek action against Gandhi for his comments against Mr. Modi.

The ECI also asked Rahul Gandhi to respond with an explanation regarding his words within 48 hours, following which, the ECI will take action against him.

Stay tuned for further updates about the story.