ECI should take note of PM Modi's 'communal' statement: Congress

Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for drawing a parallel between Hindu and Muslim festivals, the Congress on Sunday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take stock of the matter and urged the former to refrain from making such statements which bring 'disrepute' to his post.

"The Prime Minister is invoking communalism in order to polarise voters. The ECI should take note of this because it is a clear violation of its rules and regulations. He has brought disrepute to his post and has violated the principles for which he took his oath. These conservative ideas are subscribed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the like minded organisations. It seems that the Prime Minister is unable to come out of this mentality. We hope the ECI will take action in this," Congress leader Anand Sharma told ANI.

Earlier today, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur, Prime Minister Modi said, "In a village, if a cemetery can be constructed, so should a cremation ground. If electricity is supplied during Ramzan, so electricity should also be supplied during Diwali as well. There should not be any discrimination on the basis of religion and caste."

The Prime Minister also said the 'exile of development' must end in Uttar Pradesh, while appealing the people to cast their vote for a government which ensures safety in the state.

"'Vikas ka vanvaas' in Uttar Pradesh must end now. The country is moving ahead at fast pace and so must Uttar Pradesh," he said.