KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has begun probing Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’s statement that the country would plunge into disaster if Renu Dahal is not elected mayor in Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

An internal investigation has begun after the main opposition party CPN-UML raised questions about Prachanda’s statement and a complaint were filed against the Maoist chair’s remark.

“The statement that the country will plunge into disaster if the candidate of one’s party is not elected seems to be a veiled threat. Complaint has been lodged that such intimidation of voters is against the code of conduct,” an EC source said.

“By gathering evidence, out team has begun investigating. Such an statement seems unnatural. We will study and come to some conclusions,” the source added.

A few days ago at an election gathering organized by the five-party alliance in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Prachanda had warned that the country would encounter an accident if the Maoist mayoral candidate Renu Dahal, who was also his daughter, was not elected in the election.

Prachanda’s statement received flak from all sides.

A complaint was also lodged stating that such remark threatened voters and also induced fear among public.