EC issues notice to Kharge over 'terrorist' remark against PM Modi

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued a notice to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his "terrorist" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The action came hours after a delegation comprising Union Ministers - Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal - and other BJP leaders met the full bench of the Election Commission and complained about Kharge's "terrorist" comment against PM Modi. Calling the remark a potential violation of election norms, the poll body sought his response within 24 hours.
At a press conference on Tuesday in Chennai, Kharge called PM Modi a "terrorist". He was questioning the AIADMK's decision to partner with the BJP despite its adherence to the ideology of late CN Annadurai, a legendary politician in Tamil Nadu.As the controversy spread like wildfire, Kharge soon clarified that he had used the remark to indicate that PM Modi terrorises the opposition with the use of central agencies. He also accused the central agencies of working hand-in-glove with the ruling BJP. "I did not speak against the Prime Minister. The PM is terrorising politicians, candidates and regarding this, I said that tax terrorism is happening, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids, the Income Tax Department is conducting raids, the CBI is conducting raids...this terrorism is being facilitated by PM Modi. I did not call him a terrorist...he is scaring people. He is trying to silence people through raids and attempting to defeat them in elections. This is what I said in Chennai," he said.