NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to DMK MP A Raja over his recent abusive remarks against Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswamy, stating that the it viewed the remarks as not only derogatory but also obscene and which “lower the dignity of motherhood of women”.
Calling the contents of Raja’s speeches during election campaign on 26-03-2021 at Thousand Lights Assembly Constituency, as seemingly “a serious violation of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct”, EC gave Raja time until 6 PM on Wednesday to explain his position, “failing which the Commission shall take a decision without any further reference”.
As per the model code, “criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided".
The EC action followed a complaint dated 27-03-2021 received through Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, wherein it has been alleged that Raja had made “derogatory and scandalous speech” against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
According to the transcripts, Raja, at Keelapur speech at 19.00 hrs, made a statement, among others, that Stalin is a child of good relationship and good birth while Edapadi Palaniswamy is a child of bad relationship and a premature born child" .
Also, in his Meensurupatti speech at 20.30 hrs, EC said “you have stated that...’But EPS who considers that he is having knowledge and Dignity, just for the sake of CM post, crawled and held Sasikala's feet who is almost equal in age or to say who is 6 months younger”. The transcript also said EPS was “born in an illegal manner, in a premature birth”.