The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday asked the Election Commission to take action against Congress leader and former MP Vilas Muttemwar for allegedly using derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a press conference, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule condemned Muttemwar and said his party had written to the Election Commission seeking action. Bawankule said that it is against the political culture of Maharashtra to make derogatory comments against a personality like Narendra Modi, who holds the post of Prime Minister of the country.
“There is anger among all citizens due to Muttemwar’s low-level statement. We have complained about Vilas Muttemwar to the Election Commission. We hope that the election panel takes cognizance of our complaint and takes appropriate action against Muttemwar,” Bawankule said.
The BJP state chief added that the Congress Party released a video titled ‘Deekshabhoomi speaking’ on its official social media, in which the Congress has tried to seek votes on the basis of caste and religion. He said the party has requested the Election Commission to take action against the candidate.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Nagpur city chief Jeetendra alias Bunty Kukde has filed a written complaint against Congress Lok Sabha candidate Vikas Thakre for alleged violation of the model code of conduct.
According to the PTI report, the BJP leader accused Thakre of sharing “highly objectionable” videos on his social media accounts, appealing to voters on the basis of their religion and caste and thereby promoting enmity between the people. He said Thakre was claiming that the BJP “will do away with the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar”.
In another development, animal rights organization PETA wrote to election authorities and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar over the fact that MLA Rohit Pawar dangled a crab during a recent press conference and sought actions against him.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals said the law violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Maharashtra Model Code of Conduct, an order issued by the Chief Electoral Officer on March 24, 2014 prohibiting the use of animals for electoral campaigns and elections. Commission directives, according to the PTI report.
(With PTI inputs)