Taking strict actions against several political leaders for violating the model code of conduct, the Election Commission on Monday banned UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BSP supremo Mayawati, SP leader Azam Khan and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi from campaigning.
The commission’s orders came hours after the Supreme Court told the panel that it could not drag its feet and had to act promptly against poll code violations.
Ban on Yogi and Mayawati
Firstly, the poll watchdog barred Yogi Adityanath from campaigning for 72 hours and Mayawati for 48 hours starting Tuesday morning for their controversial speeches.
Reacting to the EC ban, the BSP supremo called it unconstitutional and anti-democratic. She also said, “EC has given a one-sided decision. I have been denied the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. This day will be known as a black day in the history of EC.”
BSP chief Mayawati on EC banning her from election campaigning for 48 hours starting from 6 am tomorrow: EC has given a one-sided decision. I have been denied the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. This day will be known as a black day in the history of EC. pic.twitter.com/3N9bHfCig9
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 15, 2019
Reason: In a speech at a rally in Saharanpur’s Deoband on April 7, Mayawati had appealed to Muslims to vote for the alliance and not divide their vote by supporting another political party.
Two days later, according to the commission, Yogi Adityanath told a rally in Meerut about Mayawati’s speech and said: “If the Congress, SP and BSP have faith in ‘Ali’, we have faith in ‘Bajrang Bali’, the followers of Bajrang Bali will not tolerate them.”
Ban on Azam Khan and Maneka Gandhi
Hours after banning Yogi and Mayawati, the commission also banned Azam Khan for three days and censured Maneka Gandhi for two days from campaigning starting 10 am on Tuesday for a similar offence.
Khan on Monday clarified that he did not make any objectionable remarks against Jaya Prada. “I will not contest the polls if proven guilty…I haven’t named or insulted anyone and I know what I should say,” Khan said.
I will not contest polls if proved guilty: Azam Khan on objectionable remarks against Jaya Prada
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/CpMiEnjGIa pic.twitter.com/6mvBDHdHiB
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 15, 2019
Whereas, defending her remarks, Gandhi told the poll watchdog that she was only trying to introduce herself and her work in her earlier constituency, Pilibhit, to the electorate in Sultanpur.
ALSO READ: EC bars Azam Khan from campaigning for 3 days, Maneka Gandhi for 2
Reason: While addressing an election rally on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur constituency, Azam Khan, without naming Jaya, said, “I brought her (Jaya Prada) to Rampur. You are a witness that I did not allow anyone to touch her body. It took you 17 years to identify her real face but I got to know in 17 days that she wears khaki underwear.”
On the other hand, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi got into trouble with the poll body over her speech in Sultanpur where she was reportedly asked Muslims to vote for her.
“I will not feel good about a victory without the support of Muslims. My feelings will get hurt. If Muslims then come to me asking for work, then I will think ‘let it be, how does it matter?’ Dil khatta ho jayega (my heart will turn sour),” she said while addressing a rally in Sultanpur on Thursday.