Guwahati, Oct 27: A war of words has erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma’s ‘Akbar’ remark made during a public speech in poll-bound Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha. The exchange of statements began shortly after the Election Commission of India (EC) issued a show cause notice to Sarma in response to his ‘Akbar’ remark in a poll campaign.
Taking to his social media account, Himanta Biswa Sarma responded, stating, “The Congress failed to disclose that Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from the Kawardha Constituency when lodging their complaint with the Hon’ble Election Commission. Therefore, legitimate criticism of a candidate does not constitute communal politics. Congress may face legal repercussions for omitting this crucial fact in their complaint. I have full faith in the wisdom of the Hon’ble Election Commission.”
Earlier, the Election Commission of India (EC) had served a show cause notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding his ‘Akbar’ remark during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign.
Also Read: Hornbill Festival 2023 Set to Kick Off on December 1 in Nagaland
The notice requires Sarma to respond by 5 p.m. on October 30.
This action was prompted by the Congress, which had filed complaints against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with the Election Commission. The complaints alleged that their statements during the Chhattisgarh assembly poll campaign violated the model code of conduct.
In particular, the Congress’s complaint against Assam Chief Minister Sarma pertained to a speech he delivered in Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha on October 18, where he was campaigning against Congress candidate Mohammad Akbar.
