Patna: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday filed a written complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would do “anything for votes, even dance.”

The complaint, submitted by BJP’s Convenor of Election Commission Coordination Department, Bindhyachal Rai, urged immediate and exemplary action. The party demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) issue a show-cause notice to Gandhi, direct him to offer an “unconditional public apology,” and bar him from campaigning for a specified period.

The BJP accused Gandhi of violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. It claimed his remarks “mocked and insulted the dignity of the highest constitutional office” and breached “public decorum and ethical norms.”

Congress defends Rahul Gandhi

In response, the Congress defended its leader, arguing that it was Prime Minister Modi who had previously used derogatory language against opponents. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “It is an irony that the Prime Minister, who uses terms like ‘mujra’ while targeting his opponents, has a problem with the word ‘dance’.”

Khera was referring to Modi’s May 25 speech in Bihar, where the Prime Minister had said, “I will foil the plans of the INDIA bloc to rob the SCs, STs and OBC of their rights and divert those to Muslims. They may remain enslaved and perform ‘mujra’ to please their vote bank.”

Khera further told reporters in Patna that the BJP “has no agenda and no report card to put before the public.”

Chhath puja row adds to controversy

The row deepened after Union Minister Annapurna Devi accused Gandhi of “maligning the sanctity” of Chhath puja. She alleged that women of the Purvanchal region, who observe a 36-hour nirjala (without water) fast, were deeply hurt by Gandhi’s remarks.

During his rallies in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on Wednesday, Gandhi had said, “Narendra Modi is ready to enact all types of drama. You try telling him at a poll rally that, Mr Prime Minister, we will vote for you if you dance. He will readily perform Bharat Natyam.”

He also alleged that Modi planned to take a dip in the Yamuna on Chhath puja, but the programme was shelved when it was discovered that a clean-water puddle had been created because the river was too polluted.

BJP alleges ‘corrupt electoral practice’

In its complaint, the BJP maintained that Gandhi’s remarks were “intended to malign and demean” Modi’s public image for political gain, which, it said, amounted to “corrupt electoral practice.” The party urged the ECI to take “exemplary action to preserve the sanctity of democratic and electoral decorum.”