New Delhi: This comes as Maharashtra and Jharkhand start their assembly elections and the Congress and BJP trading barbs has become more and more frequent. While counter chargings in this regard were levelled against each other the EC has served notices on the two parties and asked for responses to complaints lodged against their chief.
Leaders of Congress and BJP in Trouble
The Election Commission has noted down the complains lodged against it by both parties. BJP has lodged a complaint to the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge being served a notice based on some remarks of Rahul Gandhi. Likewise, the Congress has demanded BJP President, J.P. Nadda secure Congress’s grievances on statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The actions have been provided equal time with both parties allowed to respond up to 1 PM 18th November in response to the recommendations made.
BJP’s Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi
BJP also stated that Rahul Gandhi was negative on the youngest while making an inflammatory statement In its complaint, the BJP said Rahul Gandhi said that the SC, ST, and minorities are not getting chances to get jobs and industries. According to Gandhi, “If you look at the industries and job markets, you can’t see SC, ST, or minority and in some or most of the places, you don’t find people from economically weaker sections get opportunities.”
The BJP also pointed to Gandhi’s remark that anyone who wants a job needs to join the RSS no matter the education level.
Further, the BJP objected to Gandhi’s eruption that industries and factories have been shifted from Maharashtra to Gujarat robbing local youth of employment. The party also accused Gandhi of painting a picture that institutions like the Election Commission, ED and CBI were working under government pressure.
Congress Targets BJP Leaders
On the other hand, Congress lodged a complaint against the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah alleging that they are trying to influence the voters. Congress quoted Shah as having accused its party of opposing quotas and supporting terrorism in the nation.
Congress also alleged that PM Modi’s comments sought to divide the SC/ST/OBCs communities. Congress said these statements were aimed at swaying the electorate and destabilising society.
On this reason, the Election Commission has to remain neutral when conducting the election processes.
Regarding these complaints, the Election Commission has sidelines itself to the middle as it has served both the leaders of the party. The EC exercises oversight over the electoral campaigns in order to prevent and or address any material violation of the Model Code of Conduct through monitoring of rhetorics.
This is exemplified by the recent notices alerting Maharashtra and Jharkhand for polls making these elections high stakes ones. This means that once both parties are immersed in the debate the impartiality of the Election Commission will go a long way in ensuring that the democratic process is not disrupted.