EC issues show-cause notice to Kejriwal's AAP for remarks against PM Modi on social media

Digital Desk: The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Aam Aadmi Party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 14 for alleged derogatory comments made about PM Modi on the party's social media handle and asked him to respond to the charge of model code violation by November 16.

In its letter, the Election Commission stated that "the posts prima facie violate MCC (Model Code of Conduct) as well as provisions of election and penal laws; asks him to explain the statement by 16th Nov, as to why appropriate action for violation of MCC as well as provisions of election and penal laws should not be taken against you."

The BJP approached the Election Commission on November 10 and urged action against the AAP for publishing a "very unacceptable" and "unethical" video clip and remarks on a social media platform criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The AAP's most recent video piece on 'X' featured businessman Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Modi. The following day, the party shared a photo of Adani and Modi, claiming that the prime minister works for the industrialists rather than the people.

The issue was raised by a BJP team that included Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, party national media in-charge and Rajya Sabha member Anil Baluni, and party leader Om Pathak.

The Union minister stated the act of AAP was a "new low in politics." As the post, said, "a democratically elected leader, who happens to be the prime minister, is a paid employee of some individual."

"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 polling agency added.

Assembly elections are being held in five states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram.