BJP accuses Rahul of making false claim about rise in poverty, files complaint with EC
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Monday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is making a false claim about the rise in poverty in the country and urged the Election Commission to take “strict action” against him.
Lodging a complaint with the poll panel, the BJP also accused Gandhi of continuing to create a North-South divide in the country on the basis of language and region to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
A BJP delegation comprising its national general secretary Tarun Chugh and party's national media department in-charge Anil Baluni approached the EC, accusing Gandhi of running a false propaganda against the BJP amid the Lok Sabha elections.
“Rahul Gandhi is running a false campaign that 20 crore more people have become poor in the country while he doesn't have any evidence to back his claim,” Chugh told reporters after the BJP delegation lodged a complaint against the Congress leader with the EC.
He said that the Niti Aayog in its report has said that nearly 25 crore people have come out of the below poverty line during 10 years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in the country.
“The Election Commission assured us of taking strict action (against Gandhi) in this connection,” he added.
The BJP leader also alleged that the Congress has hatched a “disgusting conspiracy” to create a divide between North and South on the basis of language and region.
“We have lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Rahul Gandhi in this connection. We told EC that he is a serial and habitual offender of spreading lies, hatching conspiracy and creating confusion. While the country is progressing, Rahul Gandhi is talking about dividing the country on the lines of language and region,” he said.
Chugh asserted that the BJP respects all the languages and it is proud of Tamil language.
“In our (Lok Sabha poll) manifesto, we have reiterated our commitment towards the promotion of Tamil language. But Rahul Gandhi’s actions are disgusting and they have potential to put the country’s internal security in danger,” he told reporters.
“We filed a written complaint with the Election Commission in this connection and also gave links of his speeches, demanding strict action against him,” he added.
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Make polling hours 6am-7pm for May 7 LS polls, Karnataka BJP urges EC citing heatwave
Bengaluru, May 3: Citing the ongoing heatwave in the state, Karnataka BJP on Friday petitioned the Election Commission with a request to modify the polling hours to the 6am-7pm period in the 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state that goes to polls on May 7.
Polling is currently scheduled to be held in the second phase in the state in 14 segments in the northern districts between 7am to 6pm on May 7.
"It has become hard to come out and vote between hours 10.00 to 17.00 due to uncontrollable heat. The average heat in those parts (north Karnataka) covering 14 parliamentary constituencies are between 37 and 42 degree (Celsius). The mercury is rising at an alarming level and it would become hard for the electors to come out and vote," BJP's petition said.
The petition highlighted the alarming rise in temperatures, which are expected to go beyond 40 degree Celsius, and also stated that the number of voters over the age of 40 is high and that they are vulnerable to the heatwave.
"To keep up the good spirit of voting, necessary action should be taken," the BJP petition urged the Election Commission, saying, "In this background, it is requested to modify the time of voting in the 14 parliamentary constituencies from 06.00 to 19.00 hours on May 7".
Polling was held between 7 am and 6 pm during Karnataka's first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 14 constituencies on April 26.
