'Legitimate Criticism': Assam CM Sarma On EC Notice Over 'Akbar' Remark, Says Congress 'Withheld' Info

Assam CM Himanta Sarma has responded to Congress complaint to EC and said that the grand old party withheld information on its candidate for the Chhattisgarh elections.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused the Congress of "withholding" the information that Mohammed Akbar is its candidate from the Kawardha in Chhattisgarh. His comments came in response to the Election Commission notice over his 'Akbar' remark following Congress's complaint on the same. The BJP CM said his criticism was 'legitimate' as the grand old party withheld information from the EC that Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from Kawardha Constituency.

"Congress has withheld the material information from the Hon’ble Election Commission that Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from Kawardha Constituency. Therefore legitimate criticism of a candidate does not amount to communal politics," Samra said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

 

EC in its notice said, "Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause by 17.00 hrs. of 30th October'2023 (Monday) as to why appropriate action for violation of Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against you."

Sarma has quoted Congress MP Jairam Ramesh's post on the complaint against the Assam CM. 

"Yesterday, the Congress party brought to the attention of the Election Commission of India serious electoral malpractices by senior leaders of the party in power. The ECI has observed prima facie the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Assam CM for his obnoxious hate speech on 18th of October in Chhattisgarh. He is actually a serial offender," Ramesh said in the post.

"We hope that the ECI will follow through and take this case to its logical conclusion. Politicians, especially those holding Constitutional positions, cannot and should not be allowed to get away with such blatant violations of the Model Code of Conduct. It is the only way to stop the poisoning of our public discourse and protect the sanctity of our elections and democracy itself," he added.

During his speech in Kawardha in Chhattisgarh on October 18, Sharma reportedly took a controversial dig at Akbar, saying, "The land of Mata Kaushalya will get defiled if Akbar isn't sent off," reported PTI.

"If one Akbar comes to some place, he calls 100 Akbars. So, send him off as soon as possible, otherwise the land of Mata Kaushalya will get defiled," he added.