NEW DELHI: After assessing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have prima facie violated the model code of conduct by delivering controversial speeches, the Election Commission of India (ECI) sent notices to the BJP and the Congress seeking an explanation. JP Nadda, the national president of the BJP, has been directed to respond in writing regarding Modi's speech by 11 a.m. on April 29. Mallikarjun Kharge, the head of the Congress, has been instructed to give an explanation in writing regarding Rahul's speech.

Earlier, the Congress had filed a complaint against Modi and the BJP had filed a complaint against Rahul, accusing the two of delivering hate speech. At the same time, reports are claiming the commission has confirmed that Modi's speech about the realization of the Ram temple and the development of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, a pilgrimage centre for the Sikh community, was not a violation of the code of conduct.

Political parties are primarily responsible for the conduct of candidates. High-quality words are expected from star campaigners. It is up to the political parties to ensure a good standard of speech. The ECI sought an explanation under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act stating that the remarks of those in high positions would have serious consequences.

Complaint against Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made anti-Muslim remarks at an election campaign rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on April 21. He alleged that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that Muslims have the first right to the country's resources. He said that if the Congress comes to power, the country's resources will be distributed to the intruders and those who have more children.

Complaint against Rahul
In a rally held in Kerala, Rahul said that the BJP was trying to create discrimination by making Malayalam and Tamil inferior to Hindi. He also accused the BJP of trying to divide the country into north and south on religious and linguistic lines.

Further possibilities
Party presidents can admit the mistake and tender an apology. Or else, they can deny the allegations. If the party chiefs deny the allegations and the Commission finds the leaders guilty, the next course of action will depend on the seriousness of the offence.