PM Modi's 'majority is in minority' speech in Wardha not a poll code violation, says Election Commission

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Maharashtra's Wardha, where he slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, did not violate provisions of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission said on Tuesday. The Congress moved the EC alleging that Modi had made "hateful and divisive" comments at an election rally at Wardha on April 1 and sought to target Rahul Gandhi "in language tailored specifically to create discord between two different religious communities". The EC on Tuesday said "no such violation has been noticed" in Modi's Wardha speech. "In matter related to a complaint concerning alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct in a speech by PM Narendra Modi in Wardha, Maharashtra on 01.04.2019, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," the poll panel said. The Congress in its complaint said Modi stated that the opposition party had insulted Hindus and people have decided to punish the party in the election. "Leaders of that party are now scared of contesting from constituencies dominated by majority (Hindu) population. That is why they are forced to take refuge in places where the majority is a minority," the complaint quoted Modi as stating. The party said Modi had also stated that Congress used the term "Hindu terror". The complaint said that Modi and BJP have for five years "fostered an atmosphere of communal tension for petty political gains". While addressing an election rally in Wardha on April 1 Modi had slammed the Congress for the 'Hindu terror' metaphor and charged the opposition party with insulting "peace-loving" followers of the religion by linking them to terrorism. The Hindus have now woken up and the country has decided to "punish" the opposition party, Modi said. The Congress is scared to field its leaders from constituencies where majority dominates in terms of voter- base, Modi said. He did not name Congress chief Rahul Gandhi who has decided to contest the Lok Sabha election from Wayanad in Kerala. "The Congress tried to stain crores of the country's people using the term Hindu terror. Tell me, weren't you deeply hurt when you heard the term 'Hindu terror'? Is there a single incident in the history of thousands of years of Hindus engaging in terrorism?" Modi said. He also asked the people whether they would forgive the Congress for committing the "sin" of linking peace- loving Hindus to terrorism. The prime minister said the Congress was very well aware now that the country has decided to "punish" it. "Some leaders are shying away from contesting polls (in the first place). Those, whom it (Congress) called terrorist, have woken up," Modi said. "They linked peace-loving Hindus to terrorism... they are scared now to contest election from constituency where majority population dominates...they are forced to go where majority (Hindus) are in minority," he added.