The BJP has lodged a complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the Election Commission concerning his remarks about "fighting against Shakti" and his comments on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
During a public rally in Mumbai on February 17, Rahul Gandhi stated, "There is a word 'Shakti' in Hinduism. We are fighting against a Shakti." He went on to claim, "The soul of the King is in the EVM. This is true. The soul of the King is in the EVM and in every institution of the country, in ED, CBI, and the Income Tax department." Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Modi cannot win elections without the support of voting machines.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited the Election Commission of India office in New Delhi on Wednesday to file a complaint against Rahul Gandhi, urging action against him for these statements.
Puri remarked, "A host of statements has been made by the Congress party. We have appealed to the ECI to take action in this case. If Congress continues to perpetrate these kinds of lies and actions are not taken, then it will go unchecked."
Rahul Gandhi's comments drew strong criticism from the BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi countered Gandhi's remarks during multiple election rallies by stating that in Hinduism, 'Shakti' refers to the embodiment of the divine, and opposition parties are attempting to undermine it.
In response to the backlash, Rahul Gandhi clarified his statements, accusing the Prime Minister of distorting his words. He also claimed that by 'Shakti,' he meant the might of the state.
