The Indian Election Commission has asked Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify a tweet quoting his predecessor Sonia Gandhi regarding sovereignty, following complaints from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP argues that any remark on state sovereignty implies secession, and thus called for action against Congress and Mrs Gandhi. The tweet in question, posted on May 6, read “The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka’s reputation, sovereignty or integrity” and triggered a sharp response from the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his final rally before the May 10 Karnataka elections, Modi accused the Congress of promoting the “separation” of Karnataka from India, stating that the “tukde-tukde gang” had reached the party’s top level and that the Gandhis were “working against India’s interests”.
The Election Commission, in its communication to the Congress, cited the BJP’s allegations, which included the assertion that the tweet is “violative of the mandatory oath undertaken by the political parties under section 29A (5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951”. The BJP argues that Karnataka is a crucial member state of the Indian Union and that a call to protect its sovereignty amounts to a call for secession and poses perilous and pernicious consequences.
The poll body has requested that Congress clarify the tweet and take rectification measures. The incident occurs amid an election season in several Indian states, including Karnataka, where the BJP seeks to gain power. The controversy has sparked a war of words between the two parties, with Congress leaders accusing the BJP of twisting Sonia Gandhi’s words for political gain. The BJP has countered by arguing that the tweet’s language suggested a desire for secession and that the Congress is anti-national.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the BJP and Congress, with the latter alleging that the ruling party uses nationalism as a political tool and that its leaders seek to silence dissent. The incident also underscores the importance of social media in political discourse and the need for political parties to exercise caution in their use of social media platforms, particularly during elections.
