Election Commission asks Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify on Sonia Gandhi's "Karnataka sovereignty" remark

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Monday asked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify the party's social media post on Sonia Gandhi's "Karnataka's sovereignty" remark.

"In view of the above, you (Kharge) are requested to clarify and take rectification measures in respect of the social media post, which has been put up on the INC Twitter handle and attributed to Chairperson, CPP," EC said in a letter.

It has issued the letter to Kharge after BJP lodged a complaint against a tweet that was posted on the official Twitter handle of the Indian National Congress on May 6.

The tweet stated: "CPP Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi ji sends a strong message to 6.5 crore Kannadigas: 'The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty or integrity."

This statement was caustically attacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call it as an attempt by the Congress to separate Karnataka from India.

In its complaint to the EC, the BJP alleged, "Karnataka is a very important member state in the union of India and any call to protect the sovereignty of a member state of the Union of India amounts to a call for secession and is fraught with perilous and pernicious consequences."

The tweet also, BJP argued, is violative of the mandatory oath undertaken by the political parties under section 29A (5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 at the time of registration.

Karnataka goes for a poll in May and the declaration result is scheduled for May 13. (UNI)