The Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Priyank Kharge, son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, for his allegedly abusive comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Priyank Kharge had quoted from a speech made by the Prime Minister during a poll gathering in Karnataka last week, where he had allegedly made derogatory comments about PM Modi. The BJP had filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing the Congress of running a “smear campaign” against PM Modi.
The Commission has called Priyank Kharge’s comments “abusive” and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Commission has asked Priyank Kharge to respond to the show cause notice by tomorrow, failing which appropriate action will be taken against him.
The BJP has been furious with the Kharges over their comments against PM Modi. Union minister Anurag Thakur accused Priyank Kharge of “outdoing” his father in “abuse politics”. He alleged that Congress leaders were frustrated with the support PM Modi was receiving from the people of Karnataka and was therefore resorting to abusive language against him and his family.
Meanwhile, the Congress has claimed that Priyank Kharge’s comments were not directed against PM Modi. Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyank’s father, told reporters that his son had attacked a parliament member who had abused him and not PM Modi. He urged the media not to misquote his son’s comments and to report them accurately.
The controversy has erupted just days before the Karnataka assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place on May 12. The BJP and the Congress are locked in a bitter battle for power in the state, with both parties making all-out efforts to woo the voters. The Election Commission has asked all parties to refrain from making personal attacks and using abusive language during the campaign. It remains to be seen what action the Commission will take against Priyank Kharge and whether his comments will have any impact on the election outcome.
