EC issues notice to Rahul Gandhi over ‘panauti’ remark against PM Modi

The Election Commission issued show-cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his “panauti'”, “pickpocket” and “loan-waiver” remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at recent election rallies.

The panel has asked Gandhi to respond by November 25.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the notice was "no big deal".

"Let them (ECI) send (notice to Rahul Gandhi) we will answer it. It is not a big deal. There has not been any such severe commentary on anyone. But since the elections are going on, hype is being created. We will reply to the notice... the way they (BJP-led Centre) are trying to scare in the elections today is not right," he said.

Election Commission of India issues notice to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his 'panauti' and 'pickpocket' jibes at PM Modi, asks him to respond by 25th November pic.twitter.com/CcrIlU6I9o

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— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2023

Gandhi, in a poll speech in Rajasthan, had used the “panauti” barb against Modi as he had attended the World Cup cricket final which India lost to Australia after 10 consecutive wins in the tournament.

In Hindi, “panauti” loosely refers to someone who brings bad luck.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had approached the poll panel against the former Congress president, saying it was "unbecoming" of a senior leader to use such language. The EC reminded Gandhi that the Model Code of Conduct prohibits leaders from making unverified allegations against political rivals. The EC reminded Gandhi that the Model Code of Conduct prohibits leaders from making unverified allegations against political rivals.

The Congress leader had used those words targeting the prime minister at recent rallies in poll-bound Rajasthan.

The EC noted that the word “panauti” (bad omen) ex facie is prohibited under section 123(2) of the Representation of People Act under which inducement or “attempts to induce a candidate or an elector to believe that he, or any person in whom he is interested, will become or will be rendered an object of divine displeasure or spiritual censure” is considered a corrupt practice.