EC issues notice to KCR over remarks on Congress leaders
- In Reports
- 11:25 AM, Apr 18, 2024
- Myind Staff
On Wednesday, the Election Commission of India issued a notice to Bharat Rashtra Samithi president and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, requesting an explanation for his alleged "vulgar and derogatory" remarks directed at Congress leaders during a press conference held in Siricilla on April 5.
In a letter addressed to the BRS president Election Commission principal secretary Avinash Kumar stated that the Commission had received a complaint from G Niranjan, the senior vice-president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, on April 6. The complaint alleged that KCR “had made certain vulgar, derogatory and objectionable comments against the Congress”.
The Election Commission, in response, wrote to the state chief electoral officer on April 9, requesting a factual report. Accordingly, the CEO submitted the report on April 10, along with the report from the Rajanna Siricilla district election officer.
According to Kumar, the factual report sent by the CEO to the EC revealed that KCR had used foul language against the Congress leaders.
The report also quoted KCR as threatening the Congress leaders that “he would bite their throats and kill them, if they failed to give ₹500 as bonus on the minimum support price for paddy”.
The EC official highlighted that according to the model code of conduct, criticism of other political parties should focus on their policies, programmes, past record, and work. Leaders should refrain from making comments on private matters unrelated to the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties.
Kumar stated that the Election Commission had previously cautioned KCR on multiple occasions, including during the 2019 and 2023 elections.
He reminded that “KCR was not only the president of BRS but also the former chief minister of Telangana and it is expected of him to follow the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and guidelines and advisory of the EC”.
“Any unverified and unsubstantiated claim without any proof or derogatory remarks made by you has the propensity to malign the image of the political party or candidates in opposition. In the present case, unverified allegations and derogatory remarks made by you pose a risk of maligning the image of the Opposition party/leader and disturbing the level playing field.
The EC has prima facie concluded that by making derogatory remarks against the Congress leaders at Siricilla on April 5, KCR violated the poll code as well as the advisory/instructions of the EC.
Kumar sought an explanation from the BRS president on his comments before 11 am on Thursday.
“In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you,” the letter said.
Image source: PTI
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