The Congress lodges a complaint with the Election Commission of India regarding Anurag Thakur’s controversial speech in Himachal Pradesh, where he reiterated claims about property redistribution to Muslims, sparking widespread political debate during the ongoing elections. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previous statement suggesting the Congress would redistribute wealth, including women’s gold and mangalsutras, drew criticism and a complaint from the Congress to the EC. Seeking an opportunity to clarify their manifesto to PM Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the Prime Minister, but the controversy intensified with Anurag Thakur’s remarks.
“Today, Anurag Thakur followed in the footsteps of the PM and the UP Chief Minister and made a most outrageous speech that violates all standards of decency and truth, apart from the EC’s Model Code of Conduct itself,” stated Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh. The Congress urged the ECI to take immediate action against Thakur, emphasizing that failure to do so would only embolden such actions. Ramesh warned of public and legal repercussions for those who flout the law.
In response to Congress’s complaint, the Election Commission issued a notice to BJP President JP Nadda, prompted by PM Modi’s earlier remark. Thakur’s speech at the Himachal Pradesh rally stirred controversy as he alleged the Congress manifesto favoured ‘foreign hands’ and proposed giving away citizens’ property to Muslims. He accused the Congress of undermining national interests and fragmenting the country along caste lines.
Thakur’s remarks further escalated tensions, suggesting that Rahul Gandhi’s unmarried status implied a desire to appropriate others’ property. He accused the Gandhi family of acting in self-interest, disregarding the welfare of the nation.
