Rahul Gandhi calls BJP a party of thieves, latter moves EC

New Delhi, Nov 16: The

on Saturday petitioned the

seeking action against

Vice President

for allegedly dubbing it as a "party of thieves" in his poll rally in Kharsiya in Chhattisgarh. In its complaint, the party termed Gandhi as a "habitual offender" and termed Congress as a "history-sheeter" party in violating the model code of conduct and laws of the land.

The complaint has sought stern action against Gandhi in the wake of the poll body expressing displeasure over his certain remarks against BJP and his linking the Muzaffarnagar riot victims to Pakistan's ISI and asking him to be more cicumspect in future.

Gandhi came under the EC's lens a few days ago over an ISI remark in UP

"We have sought stern action against Rahul Gandhi as he has become a habitual offender like his party which is a history-sheeter in violating the law," said BJP Vice President Muktar Abbas Naqvi. He claimed the use of the word "chor" (thief) to describe a party and its leaders is a "clear cut violation of the model code of conduct" and demanded stern action from the poll watchdog. Naqvi said a delegation of BJP leaders will also meet the Chief Electoral Officer of Chhattisgarh and demand action besides presenting another memorandum to him.

Earlier on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi dubbed the BJP as a "party of thieves" and accused it of "looting natural resources" of Chhattisgarh. "I want one thing from the son of Nandkumar Patel.... I want not one but around 500 Nand Kuma Patels. I will not bring them from Delhi, I want them from the crowd here who can stand up and kick out BJP from here... these thieves from here," said he at a poll rally in Kharsiya, the home constituency of slain state unit Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, ahead of the second phase of polling on Tuesday.

PT