BJP files complaint, demands cancellation of Congress poll symbol

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Complaint lodged against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and party symbol by BJP
Complaint lodged against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and party symbol by BJP

New Delhi : Rahul Gandhi's attempt to connect religious figures with Congress party symbol has invited troubles for the party; Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh against him for violating the Model of Conduct (MCC).

In the complaint, Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded cancellation of Congress' iconic poll symbol – a hand.

"Shri Rahul Gandhi, at a convention, named as 'Jan Vedna Sammelan' in Delhi on January 11, 2017, made religious comments by co-relating the symbol of Indian National Congress with religious gods such as Shivji, Guru Nanak, Buddha, Mahavir and Islam, violating the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, MCC and the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court," the BJP wrote in its complaint.

A CD of Rahul Gandhi's speech was also attached with the complaint as a proof of it.

"The Congress party has not disassociated itself from the statements of Shri Rahul Gandhi. Therefore, it has also further violated the Model Code of Conduct," the complaint said.

"Therefore, it is liable to be proceeded against under Para 16A and 18 of the Election Symbols Order, 1968, and the allotment of hand symbol of Congress party may kindly be withdrawn with immediate effect, along with cancellation of its recognition as a national party," the BJP letter read.

Rahul Gandhi, while speaking at Congress convention in New Delhi, had connected party's symbol with several religious figures from different religions.

"I found Congress symbol in Shivji, Guru Nanak, Buddha, Mahavir's pictures. I asked Karan Singhji what does it mean? He said (it means) 'don't get afraid'," Gandhi had said.