New Delhi: As the Lok Sabha elections approach, India’s Election Commission (EC) has advised Rahul Gandhi to be more careful and mindful in his public speeches.
EC was acting on a Delhi High Court directive of last December, when it asked the poll panel to take appropriate action against the Congress leader for his speech on November 22 during which he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “pickpocket”.
Observing that the statement was “not in good taste”, the high court asked the EC to act as per law within eight weeks.
The EC also asked Rahul to follow its March 1 advisory issued for star campaigners and political leaders during election campaigning.
EC warned that parties, candidates and star campaigners will face stern action for any kind of violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
EC also warned that party campaigners and candidates who received notices earlier will face strict action for a repeat violation of the code of conduct.
EC had last year issued a notice to Rahul after he used terms like “panauti” (bad omen) and “pickpocket” talking about PM Modi.