The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, saying he prima facie violated the model code of conduct when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist” during a press conference in Chennai the previous day.
Karji made the comment during a press conference on the last day of campaigning for the Tamil Nadu elections. He later defended himself, saying he meant the prime minister was “terrorizing” the country’s democratic fabric.
“Whereas, the Commission is of the highest opinion that Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the star campaigner of the Indian National Congress in the general elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, has violated the above provisions of the MCC and relevant instructions issued by the Commission,” the EC notice said.
She added: “Now, the Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your position with regard to the above within 24 hours of issuing this notice. Note that in the event of failure to respond from your part within the stipulated time limit, it will be assumed that you have nothing to say in this matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in this matter without referring to you again.”
Karg made the statement on Tuesday while criticizing the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance with the BJP. “How are these people from AIADMK, who put up the picture themselves, doing? [former chief minister CN] Annadurai.. How can they join Modi? He is a terrorist… He does not believe in equality. His party will not believe in equality and justice. And these people join them, which means they weaken democracy, they weaken the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamarajar, [EV Ramaswamy]Periyar, Kalaignar [late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi] Kharg said: And Baba Sahib Ambedkar.
However, when later asked about his remarks, Kharge said he meant that the prime minister was “terrorizing” the country’s democratic fabric. “He is terrorizing people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist in the literal sense… He is abusing his power and government mechanisms and insulting and abusing opposition parties.”
On Wednesday, a high-level BJP delegation comprising Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal met ECI, demanding strict action and a public apology from Karg.
Rijiju described the statement as “an issue for the entire nation”, saying that no political party had ever reached this level of disrespect, and that the delegation went to ECI “with sadness and anger”. Describing the Congress as “completely demoralized”, Sitharaman said the party was driven by “deep hatred towards the Prime Minister” on the eve of polls in Tamil Nadu and the first phase in West Bengal.
Congress stuck to its position. KC Venugopal accused the BJP of hyping the issue to divert attention from core concerns, and DMK MP Kanimozhi supported Kargi’s main point about misuse of central agencies.
In a post on
TMC MP Sushmita Dev said, “The Election Commission of India appears to be acting at the behest of the BJP. Complaints from the opposition – including detailed reports by senior lawyers on the Prime Minister’s use of state resources and new campaign platforms – go unheard for days. However, when the BJP approaches the commission, action is taken within hours. The same-day notice in this case clearly reflects a pattern of bias.”
