Dubbing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as a "serial offender" for his alleged hate speech in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, the Congress on Thursday said that it hopes the Election Commission will follow through and take the case to its logical conclusion as politicians, especially those holding constitutional positions, cannot be allowed to get away with such blatant violations.
The remarks came after the Election Commission on Thursday served notice to Sarma for violating poll code in Chhattisgarh.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Congress General Secretary, Communication, Jairam Ramesh said: "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 October 18 in Chhattisgarh. He is actually a serial offender.
"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".
Referring to the complaint against Sarma by the Congress, the poll panel said that it accused him of making "allegedly made communally charged statements and made unverified allegations and distortions against Mohammed Akbar of Congress" in a speech on October 18.
It said that the video of the said speech received along with the complaint was examined and found that you said, 'Today, the tribals of Chhattisgarh, who are dear to us, are being encouraged to convert their religion on a daily basis. And when someone raises their voice against it, Bhupesh Baghel ji says 'we are secular'. Is beating up Hindus your secularism? This country is a country of the Hindus and will belong to Hindus. Do not teach us secularism, we do not need to learn secularism from you'.
"In light of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and the above part of your speech has been found to be prima facie violative of the aforesaid provision of MCC and R P Act, 1951," the EC said.