Bengaluru, 15 April

Congress in Karnataka on Monday complained to Election Commission seeking legal action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks at an election rally in Mysuru, in which he called Congress the 'Sultan of Tukde Tukde gang'.

Addressing a public meeting at Mysuru on Sunday, Modi accused Congress of harbouring the dangerous intention to "divide, break and weaken" the country.

In a letter to Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) alleged that while addressing the rally, Modi said Congress and its allies had boycotted the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya earlier this year, and accused the INDIA Bloc of wanting to "destroy the strength of the Hindu religion".

The PM said he "vowed not to allow" these "forces of hate" to succeed as long as he enjoyed the blessings of the people of India, the complaint said.

"The statement was made with an intention to woo the voters of India, in particular the voters of Karnataka, for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of the candidates of NDA group in India," it said.

KPCC has urged the poll body to take cognisance of the statements made by Modi and direct the authorities concerned to register a criminal case against him in accordance with the law in the interest of free and fair elections. —PTI