PM Modi should have chosen his words more carefully, says RJD

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national spokesperson Manoj Jha on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have chosen his words carefully when addressing a rally in Munger yesterday, as he had denigrated not only Lalu Yadav, but also all inhabitants of Bihar and the backward classes.

Taking strong objection to Prime Minister Modi's reference to a 'Shaitan' (Devil) being ensconced in Lalu and justifying his decision to move the Election Commission of India to act against the former, Jha said, "He is the Prime Minister of India, he should have chosen his words carefully. He not only denigrated Lalu ji, but all Biharis, backwards and Dalits. Bihar felt insulted because of the 'shaitaan' remark, we were under tremendous pressure from our constituency to go and complain to the chief electoral officer."

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Jha said that it pained them to come to the Election Commission with the RJD's complaint, because generally in a democracy, one thinks twice before complaining about the Prime Minister.

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"It not only violates Article 2, 3 of the Model Code of Conduct, but also, violates Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A message has to go to the people concerned. They (BJP) should be barred from organising further rallies, strict action should be taken so that the idea of a free and fair election turns into reality. That is what we have asked of the chief election commissioner, and we have demanded it," he added.

During the rallies at Munger and Begusarai on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi played up Prasad's alleged comment of a 'shaitan' (devil) straddling his tongue when making his Hindus also eat beef comment.