• Election Commission issues show-cause notice to Rahul Gandhi over his 'Panauti' jibe at PM Modi

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    Election Commission issues show-cause notice to Rahul Gandhi over his 'Panauti' jibe at PM Modi

    The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following a complaint from the...

    Digital Desk: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following a complaint from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding his controversial remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi, while addressing a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan’s Barmer, referred to the Prime Minister as 'panauti', 'pickpocket,' and accused him of granting loan waivers amounting to Rs 14,00,000 crore over the past nine years.

    In response to the BJP's complaint, the ECI stated, "It is alleged that comparing a prime minister to a 'jaibkatra' (pickpocket) and using the word 'panauti' is unbecoming of a very senior leader of a national political party. Further, the allegation of the grant of waivers of Rs 14,00,000 crore for the past nine years is asserted by the BJP as not borne out on facts."

    The Model Code of Conduct prohibits political leaders from making unverified allegations against their rivals. The ECI has summoned Rahul Gandhi to appear before the poll panel on November 25 to explain his statements.

    The BJP, in its complaint, emphasized that such language is "unbecoming" of a senior political leader and called for appropriate action by the Election Commission. The show cause notice indicates the Election Commission's commitment to maintaining the decorum of political discourse during the election season.