EC issues notice to Priyank Kharge over derogatory remark against PM Modi
Election Commission takes note of plummeting level of campaign discourse in Karnataka
03-05-2023 : The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to Priyank Kharge, son of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, over his derogatory remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a poll campaign in Karnataka. Priyank had called the Prime Minister “nalayak” (inept) and questioned his ability to run the country. The EC has stated that Priyank has prima facie violated the provisions of the model code of conduct and has asked him to respond by May 4.
Priyank, who is seeking reelection from Chittapur in Kalaburagi district, had made the remark while addressing a campaign rally. He had criticized the Prime Minister for creating confusion about reservations for the SC community and had alleged that Modi was inept and unfit to lead the country.
The BJP had filed a complaint with the EC against Priyank for using abusive language against the Prime Minister. The EC has taken a serious note of the “plummeting level of campaign discourse” in Karnataka and has asked political parties and their star campaigners to exercise caution and restraint in their utterances and not to vitiate the election atmosphere.
The Congress and the BJP are engaged in a war of words in the run-up to the May 10 polls in Karnataka. Both parties have moved the poll panel seeking action against each other. The EC’s notice to Priyank is a reminder to all political parties and their leaders to maintain decorum and refrain from making derogatory and abusive remarks against their opponents during election campaigns.
