The response of Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma to the Election Commission of India came soon after the Election Commission of India (EC) issued a show cause notice to him over his ‘Akbar’ remark in a poll campaign in Chhattisgarh.
Taking to his X handle, Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “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. Congress will have to face the legal consequences of not revealing this crucial fact in their representation. I have full faith in the collection wisdom of the Hon’ble Election Commission.”
Earlier, the Election Commission of India (EC) issued a show cause notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his ‘Akbar’ remark during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign.The commission has asked CM Sarma to respond to the notice by 5 p.m. on October 30.
It should be mentioned that Congress lodged complaints against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with the Election Commission on October 25, alleging that their remarks during the Chhattisgarh assembly poll campaign violated the model code of conduct. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said 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.
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. Replying to the allegation, Assam CM Sarma said that Congress will have to face the legal consequence of not revealing this crucial fact in their representation. I have full faith in the collection wisdom of the Hon’ble Election Commission. Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from Kawardha Constituency. Therefore, legitimate criticism of a candidate does not amount to communal politics.
