Cong demands EC to ban Modi from campaigning for remarks on Rajiv Gandhi

Terming the remarks by Modi as 'uncultured, illegal and against Indian tradition and in direct contrast to the facts', a delegation of Congress leaders, led by noted lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Salman Khurshid and former Minister Rajiv Shukla, demanded that an immediate decision, within 24 to 48 hours, be taken on the issue.

Talking to reporters here, Singhvi said: "We have demanded an immediate ban on the campaigning by Mr Modi. We have emphasized that this is necessary to restore the credibility of the Election Commission, which was unable to take a decision on the complaint against Prime Minister and they had acted only after the Congress approached the Supreme Court."

The Prime Minister had on Saturday while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh said that the life of his(Congress President Rahul Gandhi) father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, ended as "corrupt number 1".

Singhvi further said that such comments by the PM and the BJP chief make one wonder whether there is no rule of law in the country and election commission.

"It seems the PM is not aware of Indian culture and has a tendency to make statements for cheap electoral gains," he said.

He wondered that when the statement made by Mr Modi was in direct contrast to the fact, whether such a person was was worthy of being on such a post.

Terming the statement by the PM as being in direct contrast with the facts, Singhvi pointed out that on February 4, 2004, the Delhi High Court had rejected and quashed the charges against Rajiv Gandhi, on the basis of available facts.

For 14 years, after the February 4, 2004 judgment, no one filed an appeal against it.

"This period includes few months during which (February to May 2014) Vajpayee Government was in power and many of whose ministers had made their career out of Bofors. Even after the Modi government came to power in 2014, there was no action in this regard until February 2018. No appeal was filed," Singhvi said.

"After nearly 14 years, a petition was filed, which was turned down by the Supreme Court on November 2, 2018," the Congress leader said.

"In reference to the statement by Mr Modi describing Mr Gandhi 'bhrashtachari number one, I want to ask whether this country is running by rule of law or the statement by the Prime Minister," Mr Singhvi charged.

Singhvi also alleged that the Prime Minister and leaders of the BJP are indulging in blatant violation of all laws the day in and day out.

"We want to ask, who is telling a lie, who are indulging in misleading campaign, and distorting the facts," he added.