The Congress has written to the Election Commission of India, expressing concerns over the show-cause notices issued to party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The party highlighted discrepancies in the notices and the limited time provided for a response. The Congress pointed out receiving two notices with the same reference number but signed by different officials, without clarity on their validity.
The party criticized the issuance of notices solely based on complaints from ruling parties without thorough examination. It questioned the 24-hour deadline given for a response, deeming it insufficient during an election campaign. The Congress requested a week’s time to submit a detailed reply and sought a hearing with a senior delegation of party leaders.
Citing instances of alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct, the Congress referred to remarks made by the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah. The party accused the government of making statements that could be construed as offering inducements for votes. It argued that such actions amounted to undue influence and bribery under the law.
The Congress defended Kharge’s statements, stating they were taken out of context and clarified to refer to institutional actions, not personal attacks. The party accused the Commission of overlooking the full context and proceeding with action. It emphasized that there was no violation of laws and criticized the threatening language used in the notices.
Reiterating its stance, the Congress urged the Election Commission to allow more time for a detailed response and a fair hearing. It called for a review of past records to ensure consistency in handling such matters. The party emphasized the need for a thoughtful approach in issuing notices and requested an extension for a comprehensive reply.
