New Delhi, April 16: A case has been registered against Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for allegedly violating the model code of conduct (MCC) during a rally in Bihar's Katihar. The Punjab Minister had appealed the Muslim voters, who form nearly 65 per cent of the constituency's electorate, to vote en bloc in favour of Congress in the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

The comments by former test cricketer at a rally in Katihar, where he was canvassing in support of veteran Congress leader and former union minister Tariq Anwar, drew an angry response from BJP which condemned the "reprehensible act", urged the Election Commission to take "suo motu cognizance" and take suitable action. Watch Video of Sidhu's Contentious Appeal to Muslim Voters.

"Do not consider yourself as being in a minority. You constitute the majority here. You are about 64 per cent. Do not fall into the trap laid down by people like Owaisi (president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). They have been propped up by the BJP," Sidhu had said on Monday at a rally held at Barasol, in Balrampur assembly segment falling under Katihar Lok Sabha seat in Bihar.

"Recognize your strength and vote en block to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. A video footage of Sidhu's comments in the remote area was beamed by TV news channels on Tuesday.

The former Amritsar MP, who has been campaigning for his party in the Seemanchal region of Bihar, appeared to have mixed up Katihar with neighboring Kishanganj where Muslims are in the majority and AIMIM has put up a candidate.

"We strongly condemn the remarks made by Navjot Singh Sidhu. His comments appear to be in sync with the Congress policy of minority appeasement and a consequence of the party's worry of an impending defeat," BJP state party vice-president Devesh Kumar told PTI reacting to the remarks of Sidhu, who was previously with the saffron party.

"On the one hand, our party under the leadership of Modi has been working with the motto of 'sabka saath sabka vikas' and on the other hand the Congress has nothing to offer except divisive politics. We condemn this reprehensible act by the Congress leader," Kumar said.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 16, 2019 10:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).