The Election Commission is learnt to have sought a factual report from poll authorities in Maharashtra on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Wardha following a complaint from the Congress.
The Congress on Friday, 5 April moved the EC against Modi’s speech in Wardha city in which he said the opposition party was “scared” to field its leaders from constituencies where the majority (the Hindu community) dominates, alleging that the comments were “hateful and divisive”.
“A factual report has been sought from the chief electoral officer of Maharashtra,” a source said.
The Congress had alleged that Modi made “hateful, vile and divisive” remarks against Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his Wardha speech. The party had also claimed that this is Modi’s “fourth brazen violation” of the Model Code Of Conduct.
Modi had claimed in a rally at Wardha, Maharashtra that the Congress had been forced to contest from places dominated by the minority community, referring to Rahul Gandhi’s decision to fight from Wayanad.
“The Congress insulted Hindus and the people of the country have decided to punish the party in the election. Leaders of that party are now scared of contesting from constituencies dominated by the majority (Hindu) population. That is why they are forced to take refuge in places where the majority is a minority,” Modi said.
Rahul Gandhi is also contesting from the Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
(With inputs from PTI)
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