BJP alleges violation of poll guidelines, seeks EC action against Rahul Gandhi's social media post

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Rahul Gandhi, former Congress chief, of breaching election guidelines through a social media post on the day of the Rajasthan assembly polls. In the communication, the BJP urges the Election Commission to take immediate action, including the suspension of Gandhi's social media account and initiation of legal proceedings.

The controversy stems from Gandhi's social media post, where he implored voters to choose the Congress, outlining promises such as free medical treatment, affordable gas cylinders, interest-free agricultural loans, English education, and a caste census for Rajasthan. 

✅ राजस्थान चुनेगा मुफ्त इलाज
✅ राजस्थान चुनेगा सस्ता गैस सिलेंडर
✅ राजस्थान चुनेगा ब्याज मुक्त कृषि कर्ज़
✅ राजस्थान चुनेगा अंग्रेज़ी शिक्षा
✅ राजस्थान चुनेगा OPS
✅ राजस्थान चुनेगा जाति जनगणना

आज, बड़ी संख्या में जा कर, इस्तेमाल करें अपना मताधिकार।

चुनिए जनता की हितकारी,…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 25, 2023

The BJP contends that this communication violates the mandated 48-hour silence period during elections, during which all forms of campaigning are prohibited.

In his post, Gandhi urged people to elect the Congress and said, "Rajasthan will choose free treatment. Rajasthan will choose cheaper gas cylinder. Rajasthan will choose interest-free agricultural loan. Rajasthan will choose English education. Rajasthan will choose OPS. Rajasthan will choose caste census."

According to the BJP, Gandhi's post is not only in contravention of the Model Code of Conduct but also infringes upon the Representation of the People Act. The party asserts that such a violation compromises the integrity of the electoral process and warrants prompt action from the Election Commission.

In its formal complaint, the BJP has called for the immediate suspension of Rahul Gandhi's social media account, insisting that the alleged offending content be removed without delay. Additionally, the party recommends the initiation of legal actions against Gandhi, including a criminal complaint and prosecution, with a specific request to direct the Chief Election Officer of Rajasthan to undertake these measures.