New Delhi, Oct 5 (PTI) The BJP on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi of “lying and misleading” the country about what transpired during the hearing of a PIL in the Supreme Court on certain decisions taken by the Election Commission and said that the Congress leader may have to face the consequences.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi asserted that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and everyone else involved in “criminal assault on democracy” will be held accountable, after the Supreme Court said it did not approve any modifications to Form 6 being used during the SIR.
In a post on X, Gandhi said it is now established beyond doubt that Kumar changed Form 6 “illegally and unilaterally”, and asserted that the CEC as well as everyone else involved in this “criminal assault on democracy” will be held accountable.
The Congress leader also shared on X a screenshot of a September 26 EC statement which said, “The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. For non-SIR period, the Forms applicable as per Rules (the Registration of Electors Rules 1960) will be used.”
Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, “The Chief Justice of India did not say that Form 6 was illegal. Rahul Gandhi is lying that the Supreme Court said so.”
“This is exactly like the time when Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Supreme Court had spoken of massive irregularities in the Rafale deal. Later, he had to submit an affidavit before the Supreme Court and offer an abject apology,” Patra told reporters.
“The same thing is going to happen here. There is punishment for lying,” he added.
Patra alleged that Gandhi is trying to “mislead” the country on what transpired in the Supreme Court during the hearing of the matter and on the statement issued by the Election Commission on September 26.
“On both the issues, Rahul Gandhi is trying to create anarchy in the country by misleading people so that his rallies gain some strength,” the BJP MP said.
“His tweet (post on X) was full of lies. This is not expected of a responsible Leader of Opposition. And thus, attempting to spread anarchy in the country by propagating lies is a crime,” he added.
The BJP leader also rejected as “fake news” claims on social media that the EC withdrew its September 26 press note from its website after hearing of the PIL in the Supreme Court.
The EC has not withdrawn its press note, he said, adding that anyone can visit the poll panel’s website and see it there.
“Clearly, there is a certain section that seeks to mislead the country by spreading falsehoods. Any attempt to create anarchy by misrepresenting constitutional institutions, be it the Supreme Court or the Election Commission of India, is wrong and a crime,” Patra added. PTI PK PK KSS
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