Not violated MCC but referring to PM Modi’s rhetoric: Cong’s Priyank Kharge to EC
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New Delhi: Congress leader Priyank Kharge has responded to the Election Commission's (EC) notice by stating that he has not violated the model code of conduct and that he only referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "empty" rhetoric for the Banjara community as "nalayak" (inept).
In his three-page long reply, Priyank explained that his comments must be viewed in the context of Prime Minister Modi's remarks made at Kalaburagi for the Banjara community, which has been deeply hurt by the anti-Banjara-Scheduled Caste policies of the Modi-Bommai Governments. He further added that the SC and ST community's souls had been lacerated by the Modi government's brazen rejection of the increased reservation for them.
"What is even more painful is that on one side our, i.e. SC's and ST's justifiable demands and right of reservation is rejected by the Modi Government and on the other side, we are mocked and ridiculed by none less than the Prime Minister of India,” he said.
The EC had issued a show-cause notice to Priyank on Wednesday, May 3, for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for his "nalayak" remark against the PM, asking him to submit his reply by 5 pm on Thursday.
Priyank has further stated in his response that his comments were made out of pain and anguish for the SC and ST communities, who have been denied their rightful demands and reservation. "I am an advocate of democracy and the model code of conduct. My intentions were never to violate the code, but to highlight the plight of the SC and ST community," he said.
Priyank's remarks have caused a stir in the political arena, with the BJP condemning his comments as disrespectful to the Prime Minister's office. Meanwhile, the Congress has come out in support of Priyank, stating that his comments were made in the context of the SC and ST community's demands and were not intended to insult the Prime Minister.
The EC is yet to make a final decision on Priyank's response and whether or not he has violated the model code of conduct. However, this incident has sparked a larger debate on the reservation policies and demands of the SC and ST communities in Karnataka and the country at large.
With IANS Inputs