NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist”. EC said the remark prima facie violated the model code of conduct (MCC) and the commission’s instructions on maintaining decency in campaign discourse.EC has asked Kharge to explain his stand within the next 24 hours, failing which, it said, it would take appropriate action in the matter.This is the first notice issued by EC for violation of MCC in the current round of assembly elections.EC has said the “use of intemperate, highly objectionable and dehumanising choice of words by a seasoned politician against a Constitutional functionary appears to be not only inconsistent with the standards of public discourse but also undermines the dignity of democratic institutions”.EC highlighted the MCC provision requiring parties and candidates to avoid criticism of other parties and their leaders/workers based on unverified allegations or distortion. It added that Kharge’s remark also went against EC’s March 1, 2024 advisory to parties and their candidates, particularly star campaigners, to observe utmost restraint and decency in election campaign and engage in “issue-based debate”.A BJP delegation comprising Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kiren Rijiju which met EC on Wednesday sought stern action against Kharge “so that nobody ever dares to make a similar comment”.
