The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday issued a showcause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "panauti" (harbinger of bad luck) during a rally in Rajasthan on November 21. Gandhi has been summoned to appear before the EC by 6 pm on Saturday, November 25.
The notice scrutinises Gandhi's use of the terms "panauti" and "jeb katra" (pickpocket) against the Prime Minister. The Congress leader made the "panauti" comment in connection to India's loss against Australia at the World Cup finals in Ahmedabad.
“Panauti… panauti… Achha bhalaa hamare ladke wahaan World Cup jeetne waale the, par panauti harwaa diya. TV waale ye nahin kahenge magar janta jaanti hai (Our boys were going to win the World Cup, but panauti got them defeated. TV channels will not say this but the public knows),” Gandhi said at the rally.
In another rally, Gandhi attacked Modi, stating, "The pickpocket never comes alone; there are three people. One comes from the front, one from the back, and one from the distance... Prime Minister Narendra Modi's job is to divert your attention. He comes on TV from the front and distracts the public by raising topics of Hindu-Muslim, demonetisation, and GST. Meanwhile, Adani comes from behind and takes the money."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticised Gandhi's remarks, deeming them "shameful and disgraceful" and swiftly filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission (EC).
The EC notice, dated November 23, stated, "It is alleged that comparing a Prime Minister to a 'Jaibkatra' (pickpocket) and using the word 'Pannauti' is unbecoming of a very senior leader of the National Political Party. Furthermore, the allegation of granting waivers of Rs 14,00,000 crores for the past 9 years, asserted by the BJP, is not borne out on facts. Moreover, they are allegedly in violation of various sections of the Model Code of Conduct."
The Commission stated that the term "panauti" falls under the prohibition of "corrupt practices" as outlined in a section of the Model Code of Conduct.
