Chhattisgarh elections 2023: Poll body notice to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for ‘Akbar’ comment

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a show cause notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday for his ‘Akbar’ remark during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign, calling it “communally charged”.

The poll body has asked Sarma to respond to the notice by 5 pm on Monday, October 30.

This action came after Congress lodged complaints against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with the ECI, alleging that their remarks during the Chhattisgarh assembly poll campaign violated the model code of conduct, as reported by ANI.

The Congress’ complaint against Sarma pertained to a speech he delivered in Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha on October 18 while campaigning against Congress candidate Mohammad Akbar.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh Election 2023: Full list of BJP candidates and their constituencies

The party alleged that during his speech, Sarma had said, “If one Akbar comes to some place, he calls 100 Akbars. So, send him off as soon as possible, otherwise the land of Mata Kaushalya will get defiled.”

“So that’s why, brothers and sisters, you people have to save Chhattisgarh. This sacred land of Maa Kaushalya has to be saved, and hence all of you should make Vijay Bhaiya victorious,” Sarma said, referring to the BJP candidate from Kawardha.

Also Read:Chhattisgarh Election 2023: Full list of Congress candidates

The ECI notice to Sarma mentioned that the BJP leader violated the model code of conduct, which came into effect on October 9. During his speech in Kawardha in Chhattisgarh on October 18, Sarma had taken a controversial dig at Akbar, saying that “the land of Mata Kaushalya will get defiled if Akbar isn’t sent off.”

Election Commission of India issues show cause notice to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct guidelines during the election campaign in Chhattisgarh. Congress had complained about his alleged communal statements against MLA Mohammed Akbar. pic.twitter.com/U64vQ6Upl5

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2023

ECI has reminded Sarma of a provision in the poll code that states that “no party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. Further, criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work.”

“Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided,” the notice said.

Responding to the notice, Himanta Biswa, on his X account, wrote “Congress has withheld the material information from the Hon’ble Election Commission that Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from Kawardha Constituency,” adding that legitimate criticism of a candidate does not amount to communal politics. “Congress will have to face the legal consequences of not revealing this crucial fact in their representation. I have full faith in the collective wisdom of the Hon’ble Election Commission,” he stated.

Congress has withheld the material information from the Hon’ble Election Commission that Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from Kawardha Constituency.Therefore legitimate criticism of a candidate does not amount to communal politics. Cong will have to face the legal… https://t.co/B7knnSjvCG

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 27, 2023

Earlier, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, responding on X to the ECI notice, wrote, “Yesterday, the Congress party brought to the attention of the Election Commission of India serious electoral malpractices by senior leaders of the party in power. The ECI has observed prima facie the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Assam CM for his obnoxious hate speech on 18th of October in Chhattisgarh.”

Ramesh mentioned Sarma as a serial offender, adding, “We hope that the ECI will follow through and take this case to its logical conclusion. Politicians, especially those holding Constitutional positions, cannot and should not be allowed to get away with such blatant violations of the Model Code of Conduct. It is the only way to stop the poisoning of our public discourse and protect the sanctity of our elections and democracy itself.”

The elections to the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly are slated to be held in two phases – on November 7 and 17.

(With ANI Inputs)