The Election Commission of India (ECI) has concluded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) when he made 'Bhrashtachari number 1' remark against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi during an election rally.
"Prima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in the Election Commission of India instructions," the poll watchdog said, in a statement on Tuesday.
The case is, thereby, disposed off, it added.
PM Modi had, on May 4 while addressing an election rally, said the life of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's father Rajiv Gandhi ended as 'Bhrashtachari number 1.'
"Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari number 1,' he said.
PM Modi was alluding to the Bofors scam, in which Rajiv Gandhi was accused of receiving kickbacks from Swedish defence manufacturer, Bofors.
A Bharat Ratna recipient, Rajiv Gandhi has often been accredited for bringing computer technology to India. He was assassinated in 1991.
Following the remark, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee filed a complaint in the ECI.
Rahul Gandhi said PM Modi was projecting his beliefs on to his father, Rajiv Gandhi. "Modi ji, the battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won’t protect you," he tweeted.
"The reply will be given by the people of Amethi for whom Rajiv Gandhi gave his life. Yes Modi ji, this nation never forgives treachery," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted.
