ECI issues Show Cause notice to Rahul Gandhi over comments against Narendra Modi [Read Notice]

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a show cause notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) over certain statements made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi..The statements in questions were made by Gandhi on April 23 while campaigning in Shabdol, Madhya Pradesh. Gandhi is reported to have stated that Modi has enacted a law which allows tribal persons or Adivasis to be shot dead..Objecting to these statements, on April 27 an MCC violation complaint had been lodged with the ECI by Bharatiya Janata Party’s Om Pathal and Neeraj. On April 30, the concerned Chief Electoral Officer also furnished his comments on the issue, along with a transcript of Gandhi’s speech..The ECI, in turn, has opined that Gandhi appears to have violated Para 2 of Part I of the MCC, concerning permissible criticism of other political parties. The provision states,.“Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers or other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortions shall be avoided.“.Therefore, the ECI has now directed Rahul Gandhi to reply to the show cause notice within 48 hours, failing which “the Commission shall take a decision without further reference to him.” The order to this effect was passed by the ECI on May 1..Read the ECI show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi: