New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has served a show-cause notice to Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her false statement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.The notice comes in the wake of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force in the region.Alleged Violation of MCCThe commission, responding to a complaint filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has called on Priyanka Gandhi to explain the statement by 8:00 pm on November 16.The BJP accused her of making unverified and false statements about PM Narendra Modi during a rally at Sanwer Assembly Constituency.BJPs Complaint and ECs NoticeThe BJP, in its complaint to the poll body, asserted that Priyanka Gandhis statements had the potential to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Prime Minister.The ECs notice requires Priyanka Gandhi to justify her remarks and address the potential violation of the MCC and electoral laws.Model Code of Conduct GuidelinesThe EC notice refers to Clause 2 of Part I, General Conduct, of the Model Code of Conduct, which advises that criticism of other political parties should focus on their policies, programmes, past records, and work.It discourages criticism based on unverified allegations or distortions, particularly those unrelated to the public activities of leaders or workers of other parties.Legal Precedent and ECs ExpectationsCiting the Supreme Courts position in the Guruji Shrihari Baliram Jivatode vs Vithalrao case (1969), the EC acknowledges the potential impact of false election propaganda but underscores the value of free criticism in the long run.The EC emphasises that leaders, especially star campaigners of national parties, are expected to possess a factual basis for their statements.Priyanka Gandhis AllegationsOn November 8, during a rally in support of Congress candidates in Sanwer, Madhya Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi accused PM Modi of handing over government companies to his industrialist friends.The EC notes that the public generally perceives statements from senior leaders as true, highlighting the need for factual accuracy in such statements.(With ANI Inputs)
