EC studying complaint against PM Modi's speech – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The complaint received by Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s speech in Banswara, Rajasthan – in which he had cited Congress manifesto and an old speech of former PM Manmohan Singh to warn people that Congress would redistribute citizens’ property to “infiltrators” with “more children” – is under consideration of the poll body, according to EC sources.
Criticising Congress for being influenced by ‘urban Naxal’ mindset, Modi had, while addressing a rally at Banswara, stated: ” Congress manifesto says it (the party) will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. Who will they distribute it to? Manmohan Singh’s govt had said that Muslims have the first right to the country’s assets”.
“It will be distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?” he had asked.
Modi’s remarks had the opposition up in arms with both Congress approaching EC seeking action against the PM for making communal remarks and unverified allegations against Congress. Even the CPM complained that Modi’s remarks were aimed at driving a wedge between Hindus and Muslims.
Sources said EC may need to look at Modi’s speech from multiple angles – like whether it was a jibe against a particular minority community and a communal appeal not to vote for Congress, or if he was simply bringing up an old speech of his predecessor and juxtaposing it with Congress’s manifesto promises. “Singh’s speech at the National Development Council meeting in 2006 had noted that Muslims have the first claim on resources…the speech is part of the records. Also, the comment on Congress manifesto – that property will be redistributed – seems to be with reference to the party’s promise to hold a caste survey and reduce income inequality,” a former EC functionary told TOI.
Criticising Congress for being influenced by ‘urban Naxal’ mindset, Modi had, while addressing a rally at Banswara, stated: ” Congress manifesto says it (the party) will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. Who will they distribute it to? Manmohan Singh’s govt had said that Muslims have the first right to the country’s assets”.
“It will be distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?” he had asked.
Modi’s remarks had the opposition up in arms with both Congress approaching EC seeking action against the PM for making communal remarks and unverified allegations against Congress. Even the CPM complained that Modi’s remarks were aimed at driving a wedge between Hindus and Muslims.
Sources said EC may need to look at Modi’s speech from multiple angles – like whether it was a jibe against a particular minority community and a communal appeal not to vote for Congress, or if he was simply bringing up an old speech of his predecessor and juxtaposing it with Congress’s manifesto promises. “Singh’s speech at the National Development Council meeting in 2006 had noted that Muslims have the first claim on resources…the speech is part of the records. Also, the comment on Congress manifesto – that property will be redistributed – seems to be with reference to the party’s promise to hold a caste survey and reduce income inequality,” a former EC functionary told TOI.
