New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has strongly criticised the notice issued by the Election Commission of India to its president Mallikarjun Kharge over his “terrorist” remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party described the move as politically motivated, arguing that it does not indicate any clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct or existing laws.
In its initial response, the Congress sought additional time to file a detailed reply and requested an opportunity for a senior delegation to present its case before the poll body. The party maintained that Kharge had already clarified his statement and that further explanation would be submitted after due consideration.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh raised concerns about inconsistencies in the notice process. In a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, he pointed out that two notices carrying the same reference number were issued on the same day but signed by different officials, calling into question procedural transparency.
He also highlighted discrepancies regarding the source of the complaint. While one version of the notice reportedly referenced a complaint by Derek O’Brien, another version available publicly did not mention the complainant, adding to the confusion.
The party further criticised what it termed a “casual approach” by the Election Commission, alleging that the notice appeared to be based largely on politically aligned complaints rather than an objective assessment. It also objected to the 24 hour deadline given to Kharge to respond, stating that such a short timeframe was unreasonable given his ongoing campaign schedule.
Reiterating its position, the Congress said it would submit a comprehensive reply after reviewing all aspects of the notice. The development has added to the growing political friction ahead of the ongoing election process, with both sides sharpening their positions on issues of conduct and accountability.
