BJP seeks Congress derecognition, FIR against Sonia Gandhi
NEW DELHI — As the row over Karnataka's “sovereignty” remark heated up, with the BJP filing a FIR against Sonia Gandhi and her party's de-recognition, the Election Commission asked the Congress to clarify and correct the party's social media post attributed to Gandhi.
The EC wrote to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in response to the BJP's complaint about a tweet that appeared on the Indian National Congress' official Twitter handle on May 6.
The BJP claims in its complaint that “Karnataka is a very important member state in the Union of India, and any call to protect the sovereignty of a member state of the Union of India amounts to a call for secession, which is fraught with perilous and pernicious consequences.”
The BJP also claimed in its complaint to the EC that the tweet violated the mandatory oath taken by political parties at the time of registration under section 29A (5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. “In view of the above, you are requested to clarify and take rectification measures in respect of the social media post which has been put up on the INC Twitter handle and attributed to Chairperson, CPP,” the EC letter said.
Sonia Gandhi, a former Congress chief, is the current chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP).
“CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji sends a strong message to 6.5 crore Kannadigas: ‘The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty, or integrity,” the Congress tweeted from its official handle after Gandhi addressed a campaign rally in Hubballi, Karnataka, on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used Sunday's public meetings to launch a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of openly advocating for “separating” Karnataka from India.
Modi claimed that the disease of the “tukde-tukde gang” (anti-national elements) has spread to the top of the Congress.
Several BJP leaders slammed the Congress for its “sovereignty” remark. “By referring to ‘Karnataka's sovereignty, Sonia Gandhi Ji, you have revealed the Congress' deep conspiracy to disintegrate India,” Union minister Anurag Thakur said.
However, Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala retorted, claiming that the “desperation of the prime minister and BJP is glaring as they seek to clutch at straws in Karnataka.”
Surjewala said on the final day of campaigning for the Karnataka assembly elections on May 10 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak out on corruption allegations against his party's government and that excuses cannot be the BJP's refuge in this election.
“We reject the fakery and falsehood being perpetuated by PM as he refuses to answer a single question on why BJP is denigrating the swabhimaan' of Karnataka,” the Congress leader said in response to the BJP's charge of “sovereignty” remark.
“…If raising the issues of Kannada pride being compromised is a crime, we consider it our ‘dharma' to do so again and again,” the Congress leader told PTI.
In the midst of the controversy, the Election Commission on Monday asked the Karnataka BJP to provide “verifiable and traceable” facts about its newspaper advertisement aimed at the opposition party by Tuesday evening.
The Congress had complained to the Election Commission about the BJP's Karnataka unit's advertisement.
If no proof is provided, the EC stated that the BJP should provide reasons why action should not be taken for violating the MCC and relevant legal provisions under the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code.
Before the high-octane campaigning concluded this evening, a BJP delegation led by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav submitted a memorandum to the poll panel in Delhi regarding Sonia Gandhi's “sovereignty” remark, and the party also demanded a FIR against her.
Party leader Tarun Chugh, who was part of the delegation along with BJP MP Anil Baluni and leader Om Pathak, told reporters that the Congress party should be de-registered under the Representation of the People Act.
Citing the Congress tweets, the BJP claimed in its memorandum to the poll watchdog that such a remark is a well-planned “evil design” to provoke Karnataka's staunch nationalists, peace-loving, progressive, and globally recognised people.
It claimed that the intent is to disrupt the equanimity, harmony, and peace in order to garner votes and support for some select communities or groups, whose sole purpose and intent is to disrupt the very being of the Indian state.
The BJP also filed a complaint with the Election Commission in Bengaluru, asking for a direction to register a FIR against Gandhi for using the word “sovereignty.”
The complaint stated, “When a country becomes independent, that country is called a sovereign country,” noting that a “sovereign” by definition is an independent nation. India is a sovereign country, and Karnataka is a proud state within it. Nobody has ever questioned Kannadigas' loyalty to the nation's sovereignty until today.”
“The meaning of what Congress is saying is that the Congress believes Karnataka is separate from India,” the complaint continued. This is a contentious statement.Its goal is to divide citizens and create a schism between people from different states. Karnataka is no different from the rest of India. This is a shocking statement that will elicit divisive sentiments and cause social discord.”
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, who filed the complaint, described the Congress' tweet quoting Gandhi as “shocking and unacceptable,” and said Gandhi had violated provisions of the Model Code of Conduct by making “such a statement.”
Karandlaje, the convener of the BJP Election Management Committee, also asked the EC to issue an order registering a FIR against her and taking exemplary punitive action.
“This is an insult to Karnataka freedom fighters who fought for India's independence.” “It is an insult to crores of patriotic Kannadigas who swear by India and treasure their Indianness,” said Union Minister of State for Agriculture Smriti Irani.
According to the complaint, the statement would cause division based on language and statehood.
The election of 224 members of the Karnataka assembly will take place on May 10, and the votes will be counted on May 13.
