Oppn voices outrage as EC silent over PM's controversial remark

Cong submits 16 complaints against the BJP to EC, seeks action against PM for 'redistribution of wealth' remarks

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in an election rally in Rajasthan on Sunday sparked a huge row, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday declined to comment on it.

“We decline to comment,” a poll panel spokesperson said on queries related to the Prime Minister’s speech on Sunday in Banswara, Rajasthan.

PM Modi on Sunday suggested that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to Muslims.

The Congress urged the Election Commission to take action against PM Modi for his ‘redistribution of wealth’ remarks, alleging they were ‘divisive’, ‘malicious’ and targeted a particular religious community.

A delegation comprising Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Gurdeep Sappal met Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and put forward 16 complaints and memorandums against the BJP and others for alleged violations of The Representation of the People Act, 1951, various judgments of the Supreme Court, and the Model Code of Conduct.

Singhvi told reporters that he discussed in detail some complaints out of the 16 made to the EC and the most objectionable were the remarks made by the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister has to be held accountable by the ECI for the brazen trampling of the Model Code of Conduct as well as the whole gamut of offences- electoral and otherwise- committed by him and his party,” the Congress said in a representation, adding inaction by the poll panel in the matter will tarnish its legacy.

They alleged that Modi was using religion to ask voters to refrain from voting for it and was making false and defamatory statements against the Opposition party and its leaders.