The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi over her recent remark that the grand old party will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's "reputation, sovereignty or integrity".
BJP leader and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, who filed the complaint, requested the ECI to give directions for an FIR registered against her. Notably, Congress’ statement comes days ahead of the Assembly elections in Karnataka.
The Congress, referring to Gandhi's speech at a campaign rally at Hubballi on Saturday and posting pictures of her speaking at the gathering, tweeted that the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson "sends a strong message to 6.5 crore Kannadigas”.
"The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty or integrity," the tweet read.
Describing this statement as "shocking and unacceptable", Karandlaje said Gandhi has violated provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and demanded “immediate and firm” action against her. Karandlaje, who is also the convener of the BJP Election Management Committee, urged for an FIR against Gandhi over the usage of the word “sovereignty”.
"When a country becomes independent, that country is called a sovereign country. India is a sovereign country and the state of Karnataka is a proud part in it. Till today no one raised any question about the integrity of Kannadigas with the sovereignty of the nation," the complaint read.
The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare said that based on what Congress is saying, it means that the grand old party “believes that Karnataka is separate from India”.
“This statement is divisive in nature; it is aimed at dividing the citizens and creating a rift between two people of different states. Karnataka is not different from India. This is a shocking statement leading to igniting divisive sentiments and to create disharmony in the society."
"This is an insult to freedom fighters from Karnataka, who fought for India's independence. It is an insult to crores of patriotic Kannadigas, who swear by India and cherish their Indianness," the complaint added, alleging that Gandhi’s remark would lead to division on the basis of language and statehood.
The Election Commission has asked Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to explain a tweet regarding his predecessor Sonia Gandhi's statement on Karnataka's sovereignty, which has sparked a controversy. The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have accused the Congress of promoting separatism in Karnataka, and the "tukde-tukde gang" has reached the Congress's top level, they alleged. In his final rally before the May 10 Karnataka elections, PM Modi accused the Gandhis of "working against India's interests."
The BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding action against the Congress and Mrs. Gandhi. The BJP stated in its letter that "Karnataka is a very important member state in the Union of India, and any call to protect the sovereignty of a member State of the Union of India amounts to a call for secession and is fraught with perilous & pernicious consequences."
