BJP's Satti issued another EC notice over 'abusive' remarks against political rivals

Shimla: Almost three weeks to go to the poll, Himachal Pradesh -- north India's state known for its 'gentleman-politics' has hit a new low.

And, look who is doing it? It's BJP's state president Satpal Satti, a three-time former MLA.

Last week, Satti was debarred for 48 hours from the campaign by the Election Commission for his highly abusive and cursed remarks against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his "chowkidar chor" jibe, at an election rally in Solan district.

On Thursday, Satti was slapped with another notice by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer (RO) Mandi Rugved Thakur asking him to reply within 12 hours.

During an election rally at Mandi on Wednesday, where he shared the stage with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Satti threatened to chop off hands of those raising finger at the BJP leaders. His attack was again at the Congress leaders levelling accusations of "Chowkidar Chor".

Before the EC notice could reach him in the day, BJP leader was at Shimla showing no regrets. "Those who use ugly words and repeatedly insult the country's leadership doesn't deserve any decency. They should be dealt with a more deadlier weapon than what they flaunt," he added.

The Congress candidate from Mandi, Ashray Sharma was quick to raise objections and lodged a complaint to the Election Commission.

The issue has flared up greater concerns in the BJP than the Congress. Many senior leaders wondered why Satti was resorting to such posturing even as the Congress leaders have been conducting a campaign with greater decency.

What has also surprised is the fact that the BJP had been on an advantage position in Himachal Pradesh and there should not be a reason to press panic buttons. The BJP was in power in the state and has its popularity graph intact to beat the Congress out. Further, the party has mobilised the organisation machinery well as compared to the Congress, which is far behind.

Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, who also hails from Una – a native place of Satti, believes Satti's language had always been foul. This time because of the Election Commission (EC) watch, he has got caught. He is rather a habitual person, says Agnihotri.

Into his third term as party president, Satti had lost the 2017 assembly election when his contemporaries like Jai Ram Thakur has become Chief Minister and few cabinet ministers. This could also be a reason for his aggression in the poll.