The Election Commission on Friday expressed "deep anguish" at plummeting level of speeches ahead of Bihar polls saying these are aimed at causing mutual hatred and disharmony and urged politicians to observe restraint and decency during campaigning.
The Commission's strongly-worded instructions came close on the heels of politicians using election rallies and press conferences to target each other ahead of the crucial assembly elections.
The EC said it has observed "with a deep sense of anguish and serious concern about the plummeting levels of political speeches by various political party leaders and candidates in the ongoing general election to the Bihar legislative assembly".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad have been involved in a slugfest over the latter's reported 'Hindus also eat beef' remark.
Wading into the beef controversy, Modi had on Thursday attacked Prasad over his beef remarks, saying he has insulted people of Bihar and particularly his community "Yaduvanshis" who had brought him to power. He had also questioned Lalu's claim that a 'shaitan' (devil) had made make the statement.
Launching a counter-attack, the RJD chief had tweeted, "Modi should not add insult to Bihar through figment of his 'shaitan'. I challenge Modi and a few of his sycophant mediapersons to show me my statement on it (shaitan)."
After Modi's speech at Munger, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had accused him of communalising the atmosphere. Earlier this week, an first information report was lodged against All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi by Kishanganj district administration for allegedly making an inflammatory speech at an election rally.
