New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation met the Election Commission Monday and demanded action against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and her party for using the word “sovereignty” in a tweet, while referring to poll-bound Karnataka.
On Saturday, Gandhi addressed a rally in Hubbali district and later the party’s Twitter handle posted: “CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji 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’.”
The use of the word “sovereignty” – which means the authority of a state to govern itself – kicked up a political furore, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the retaliatory chorus.
At a rally Sunday, Modi said he would like to tell the country that Congress’ “shahi parivar (royal family)” would like to protect the “sovereignty” of Karnataka.
“Do you know the meaning of that? When a country becomes independent… that country is called a sovereign country. What Congress is saying is that it believes that Karnataka is separate from India,” he added.
VIDEO | "We demand a public apology from Sonia Gandhi for using the word 'sovereignty' for Karnataka. We have also urged the Election Commission to take strict against her and the Congress," says BJP leader Tarun Chugh after BJP delegation meets ECI. pic.twitter.com/PYBMcyAnf9
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 8, 2023
On Monday, after meeting the poll body, BJP leader Tarun Chugh said: “The comment suited the Congress’s politics of appeasement. This word is used for the unity of the country. It is a significant word. But using it only for Karnataka, the Congress has insulted the Constitution, the spirit of democracy. She should publicly apologise. The election Commission should also take strict action and revoke the party’s registration.”
Also read: Congress advocating for ‘separating’ Karnataka from India, claims PM in his last campaign rally