Election Commission issues notice to Congress chief on "sovereign" Karnataka row
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New Delhi: The Election Commission has issued a notice to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify a tweet by Sonia Gandhi about the "sovereignty" of Karnataka.
The poll body quoted the BJP's allegations in the notice including the one calling the Congress tweet "violative of the mandatory oath undertaken by the political parties 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," said the Election Commission.
The Twitter account of Congress on May 6 posted a quote by Sonai Gandhi in which she spoke of the "sovereignty" of the state. "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 tweet went viral and the BJP said that the former Congress chief's remark amounts to a suggestion of secession. The BJP also filed a complaint with the poll body demanding action against Congress and Sonia Gandhi.
"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 and is fraught with perilous & pernicious consequences," wrote BJP in its letter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of openly advocating to "separate" Karnataka from India. He also alleged that the Gandhis are working against India's interests.