Disappointed with Maharashtra assembly elections results, Congress leader and MLC, Ashok A. Jagtap, has passed a controversy statement on ECI. Mr. Ashok Jagtap, also known as Bhai Jagtap, referred ECI to a ‘Dog’ of Prime Minister Modi. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Bhai Jagtap, made this remark on Friday. He compared the country’s constitutional poll body to a Dog sitting outside PM’s residence as a pet. He further alleged irregularities in the assembly elections and claimed EVM tampering.
IANS, reported him saying, “(Election Commission toh Kutta hai) The Election Commission is like a dog, acting as a dog, sitting outside Narendra Modi ji’s bungalow. All the agencies that were created to strengthen our democracy have now become puppets, acting under the influence of Narendra Modi ji. These agencies, which were meant to safeguard our democracy, are unfortunately being misused. The ongoing incidents in Maharashtra and across the country show how the system is being manipulated.”
Mumbai: Congress leader and MLC Bhai Jagtap on Maharashtra Election results says, "(Election Commission toh Kutta hai) The Election Commission is like a dog, acting as a dog, sitting outside Narendra Modi ji's bungalow. All the agencies that were created to strengthen our… pic.twitter.com/EMgFlX6jJm
— IANS (@ians_india) November 29, 2024
Furthermore, the Congress leader justified his statement and reportedly refused to apologise. Speaking to ANI, he said that he will not apologise for his remarks on the poll body. ANI quoted him saying, “I will not apologise at all, not even a bit…If they are working under pressure from the PM and other ministers then what I have said is right. I will not apologise…Election Commission exists to further strengthen the democracy of the country, and not to serve someone. I stand by what I said. Election Commission should work like T.N. Seshan…Democracy is being disreputed because of you.”
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On his "kutta" remark for Election Commission, Congress leader Bhai Jagtap says, "I will not apologise at all, not even a bit…If they are working under pressure from the PM and other ministers then what I have said is right. I will not… pic.twitter.com/xmJ9cfUgas
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2024
BJP Slams Congress
BJP National Spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Congress for insulting constitutional body. ANI reported him saying, “Insulting constitutional institution has become the identity of Congress. This is not a coincidence, it has become a habit of Congress…now they are doubting Election Commission, when the election in Jharkhand, J&K, Wayanad, Karnataka and Telangana, Election Commission is fine…otherwise in Haryana and Maharashtra, they become ‘Kutta’…they are the one who insults the Constitution.”
#WATCH | Delhi: On Congress leader Bhai Jagtap's 'kutta' remark for Election Commission, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, " Insulting constitutional institution has become the identity of Congress. This is not a coincidence, it has become a habit of Congress…now they… pic.twitter.com/GSnLdg7lMk
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
In a post on X, he wrote, “Insulting President, Parliament, ECI , Judiciary is their DNA. They put parivar tantra above lok tantra. EVM & ECI is good in Wayanad and Jharkhand but bad in Maharashtra? EVM bahana hai Rahul ko haar se bachana hai.”
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP, has filed a police complaint against Bhai Jagtap, for his remark, comparing ECI to a Dog. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said that he has written to the ECI and has also filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police.
Speaking to ANI, he said, “I have written to the Election Commission and also filed a complaint with Mumbai Police Commissioner. Such kind of insult, the humiliation of the Election Commission which is a constitutional body can’t be tolerated. Action should be initiated against Bhai Jagtap. In the last two days, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) everybody has been targeting EVM and Election Commission because everyone is scared of the local body Mumbai Municipal Corporation election which is due in March 2025.”
#WATCH | Mumbai: On Congress leader Bhai Jagtap's "kutta" remark for Election Commission, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya says, "I have written to the Election Commission and also filed a complaint with Mumbai Police Commissioner. Such kind of insult, the humiliation of the Election… pic.twitter.com/1GfEJFLNcn
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024