"Has powers to put lock on such statements but...": Sibal tears into EC over PM Modi's Ram Temple remark

Invoking expelled Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam's big claim against Rahul Gandhi, that he planned to overturn the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Temple; PM Modi urged people to give the BJP-led NDA "400 seats so that the Congress cannot put the Babri lock on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya".

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, the former Congress leader said, "Is it possible to put a Babri lock be put on the Ram Mandir? Ask the PM: is this is prediction? How is this possible? The Election Commission is vested with the powers to put a lock on such statements but it doesn't do it. This statement should be deemed a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The EC has the power to put a lock on such star campaigners but doesn't have the guts to do so, as it is also a part of the 'parivaar' these days. They become a part of the family during elections. Who isn't? All so-called independent agencies are with the family these days."

Addressing a mega meeting at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh earlier, PM Modi said he wanted a 400-seat mandate for the BJP-led NDA to ensure the Congress does not bring back Article 370 in Kashmir and put a 'Babri lock' on the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Also responding to PM Modi's statement that it was time for the people to decide if they stand with 'vote jihad' or 'Ram Rajya', Sibal said such statements can't help him realise his goal of a 'Viksit Bharat'.

"He (PM Modi) said the people should choose between 'vote jihad' and 'Ram Rajya'. What kind of statement is this? Will this lead to 'Vikas'? Will this give you 'saath' of all communities and sections? His public statements are in stark contrast with what he claims he stands for. This is unfortunate. You are the PM of the world's largest democracy. Such statements can't make us 'Viksit Bharat'. I urge you not to air such views," Sibal added.

Also hitting out at the Election Commission for not sending a notice to PM Modi over his statement on wealth redistribution, claiming that the Congress was planning to snatch mangalsutras off women's necks; the Rajya Sabha MP said, "The EC will never act. It is committed to this government, to this party. It (EC notice for MCC violation) was sent to the party and not the individual who made that statement. Why did the EC not send the notice to him? It was not even a notice to the BJP but only a polite rap on its knuckles. What else can one expect from the Election Commission? It is shameful that the EC officials are not carrying out their salient duties." (ANI)