EC asks Congress chief Kharge to clarify Sonia Gandhi's Karnataka sovereignty remark

The Election Commission on Monday issued a letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge asking to provide clarification on Sonia Gandhi's remarks on Karnataka sovereignty following a complaint by the BJP.

Photo Credit: Sonia Gandhi

"The Election Commission of India today issued a letter to INC President to provide clarification and take rectification measures in respect of the social media post which has been put up on the Official INC Twitter handle and attributed to Chairperson CPP," the poll body said in a statement.

A BJP delegation headed by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav had moved the poll body seeking action against Sonia Gandhi over her sovereignty remark.

In its complaint, the BJP has alleged, "Karnataka is a very important member state in the union of India and any call to protect the sovereignty of a member state of the Union of India amounts to a call for secession and is fraught with perilous & pernicious consequences."

The BJP also alleged in its complaint to the EC that the tweet is violative of the mandatory oath undertaken by the political parties under section 29A (5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 at the time of registration.

"In view of the above, you are requested to clarify and take rectification measures in respect of the social media post which has been put up on the INC Twitter handle and attributed to Chairperson, CPP," the EC letter read.

During her initial rally in the state on Saturday, the former party president faced harsh criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other BJP leaders, and netizens who strongly objected to a sentence from her speech. She stated that the Congress party would not permit anyone to endanger 'Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty, or integrity'.

"Sonia Gandhi sends a strong message to 6.5 crore Kannadigas: the Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty or integrity," read the tweet sparking a massive row ahead of the D-Day in Karnataka.