EC issues notice to Rajiv Shukla for his remarks against Modi

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has issued a notice to Congress MP Rajiv Shukla for his reported remarks against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during the Gujarat Assembly elections.

The notice was issued to the Congress leader for his comments at an election rally in Valsad on December 7 where he had said that “(M A) Jinnah-follower Modi was the Osama Bin Laden of Gujarat”.

“It is prima facie of the view that the statement made in the speech amounts to violation of provisions of model code of conduct,” the poll body said and sought a reply from Shukla.

The BJP had filed a complaint on December 13 against Shukla along with press enclosures and a CD of the speech.

The Commission, in the notice, said that it took into consideration the said news report and viewed the CD.

“The Congress party and its members had authorised persons to invoke communal feelings in the state of Gujarat and to instigate Modi so as to initiate various proceedings against him,” the BJP said in its complaint.