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ECI issues notice to BRS chief KCR for derogatory remark against Congress

The ECI asked former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) to provide an explanation by 11 am on Thursday, 18 April.

ByRaj Rayasam

Published Apr 17, 2024 | 12:27 PM ⚊UpdatedApr 17, 2024 | 12:27 PM

KCR made the alleged comments at a media conference in Sircilla on 5 April. (X)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has slapped a notice on BRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao for his “vulgar, derogatory and objectionable” allegations against the Congress party.

It asked the former chief minister to submit his explanation by 11 am on Thursday, 18 April.

The poll panel issued the notice, dated 16 April, after senior vice-president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) G Niranjan complained against the former chief minister.

Responding to the petition on 9 April, the ECI asked for a factual report from Telangana’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The latter replied with a report by Sircilla’s District Election Officer.

Also Read: Congress government may not last a year, says KCR

Charges against KCR

In the report, the District Election Officer stated that Chandrashekar Rao made some comments at a media conference in Sircilla on 5 April, which included a quote by a Congress leader, reportedly asking people to sell Nirodhs (a condom brand) and papads for survival.

It was also mentioned that KCR described those in power as lathkors (a derogatory word) and that they did not know how to manage the water supply. They were nincompoops, dimwits, and dunces (chetakani varu, chavatalu, daddammalu), he allegedly said.

The report also recalled KCR saying that if the government did not pay ₹500 as a bonus to farmers on each quintal of rice procured at MSP, “we will break your necks”.

Such utterances violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the ECI said.

Also Read: KCR is like demonetised ₹1,000 note, says Revanth Reddy

ECI recalls previous advisories

The poll body also recalled issuing an order to Chandrashekar Rao on 3 May 2019, asking him to be careful and adhere to the provisions of the model code while addressing any public rallies, or meetings or while making any public statement.

An advisory to him on 24 November 2023 was also pointed out. The advisory in connection with his speech on 30 October 2023, asked him to follow the provisions of the MCC in letter and spirit.

It also referred to instructions issued on 2 January 2024 to the chief electoral officers of all states and UTs and its advisory on 1 March 2024.

The ECI had then instructed all political parties and leaders not to make false statements, or utterances without factual basis aimed at misleading the voters, or criticise other parties — or workers — based on unverified allegations or distortions.

(Edited by Majnu Babu).