LIVID CONG MOVES EC

The Congress has beseeched the Election Commission and asked it to take cognizance of PM Modi's divisive comments that the party, if it returns to power, will redistribute the nation's wealth in favour of Muslims and is even eyeing women's "mangalsutras" for promoting this cause.

The party has vehemently criticised PM Modi in its letter to the commission and said in its strongest remarks thus far: "While we have objections to the entire tone and tenor of the Prime Minister's speech, in this representation we wish to highlight the completely unprecedented and malicious allegations as well statements which are clearly aimed at creating enmity between groups, far worse than any ever done by a sitting Prime Minister in the history of India. This cannot go unchecked, unanswered and unpunished," the letter said.

The party also said PM Modi and the BJP's repeated comments with religious overtones "have been bolstered by the commission's inaction" in penalising them for their "blatant and direct violations of electoral laws".