Rahul Gandhi Gets EC Notice Over 'Panauti', 'Pickpocket' Jibes Against PM Modi

ECI issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his 'panauti', 'pickpocket' and 'loan-waiver' remarks targeting PM Narendra Modi.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Election Commission of India has issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his 'panauti' (unlucky), 'pickpocket' and 'loan-waiver' remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The EC said the remarks were in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Gandhi made the remarks addressing a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan.

The ECI said it received a complaint from the BJP against Rahul Gandhi, who made the remarks against PM Modi at a rally in Rajasthan’s Barmer.

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

— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2023

“It is alleged that comparing a prime minister to a ‘jaibkatra’ [pickpocket] and using the word ‘panauti’ is unbecoming of a very senior leader of national political party. Further, the allegation of grant of waivers of Rs 14,00,000 crore for the past nine years, is asserted by the BJP, as not borne out on facts," the ECI said in its notice.

The Congress leader has been asked to appear before the poll panel on November 25.

The poll panel, in its notice, mentioned that the Model Code of Conduct also prohibits a political leader from making unverified allegations against his or her rivals.

The saffron party had approached the ECI, saying it was “unbecoming” of a senior political leader to use such language.

Reacting to the EC action, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party was ready to face every notice. 

VIDEO | "We will face any notice that comes to us," says Congress president @kharge on Election Commission notice to Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on PM. pic.twitter.com/5HRP3A0lbC

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 23, 2023

Addressing a poll rally, Gandhi said PM stands for “Panauti Modi”. Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, he said the presence of PM Modi at the Ahmedabad stadium brought ill luck for the Indian team that lost the World Cup final match. Further drawing comparison with pickpocket, Gandhi said pickpockets never come alone, they always come in group of three. “PM Modi tries to divert the people’s attention, the one who is pickpocketing is Adani and the one who threatens is Amit Shah”, Rahul Gandhi had said.

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