"We decline comment": Election Commission Silent on PM Modi's "Ghuspethia" Remark, Congress Lodges Formal Complaint Urging the Poll Body to take Action

The Election Commission on Monday declined to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks during a recent election rally in Banswara, Rajasthan. PM Modi's speech sparked controversy as he suggested that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of the people to Muslims, and referred to the people of the Muslim community as "ghuspethias" (infiltrators). In addition, Congress on Monday moved the Election Commission, lodging a formal complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the poll body to take action against him.

"This 'urban Naxal' mindset, mothers and sisters, will not even leave your 'mangal sutra'. They can go to that extent," said the Prime Minister alleging that the Congress manifesto implied distributing property, including gold possessed by mothers and sisters, primarily to Muslims. "Earlier, when their [Congress] government was in power, they had stated that Muslims have the first right to the country's assets. This implies to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children. It will be distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?" said the Prime Minister. In addition to criticizing the Congress manifesto, PM Modi accused it of being a "Muslim League imprint" and a "bundle of lies."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supported PM Modi's claim by sharing a 22-second video clip of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's speech from December 2006. In the video, Dr. Singh mentioned the need to empower minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, to share equitably in the fruits of development. However, the Prime Minister's Office clarified that Dr. Singh's reference to minorities having the "first claim on resources" pertained to various priority areas, not just Muslims.

Responding to PM Modi's remarks, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge issued a strong rebuttal, referencing historical alliances between the BJP's ideological predecessor and the Muslim League in the 1940s. Kharge stated, "Everyone knows how [Syama] Prasad Mookerjee 'formed his governments in Bengal, Sindh, and NWFP [North West Frontier Province] in the 1940s in coalition with the Muslim League'."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement garnered the ire of the Opposition, with several leaders condemning his comment. The Congress lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi expressed disappointment over the statement, calling it objectionable for a person holding the position of Prime Minister. The party urged PM Modi to retract his comments and provide clarification.

Accusing PM Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting religion and religious sentiments for electoral gains, the Congress alleged that such actions were being carried out without consequence. The party condemned the prime minister's divisive remarks targeting a specific religious community, portraying them as incitements to breach peace.

Highlighting the Election Commission's inaction on previous complaints against PM Modi and the BJP, the Congress questioned whether similar leniency would be extended to other candidates. The party emphasized the importance of holding political leaders accountable for their actions, particularly when they flout the laws of the country.