Lok Sabha Polls: EC Restrains Yogi, Mayawati From Campaigning

Mangalore Today News Network

Apr 15, 2019: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday, 15 April, banned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, for 72 hours and 48 hours, respectively, for violating Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches. This order is effective from 6 am on Tuesday, 16 April.

 

Adityanath had stoked controversy on 9 April, dubbing the Muslim League a “green virus” and suggesting that Hindu and Muslim voters are in an “Ali-Bajrang Bali” contest. Launching an attack on the UP chief minister, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati had, on 13 April, said both ‘Ali and Bajrang Bali’ were on the alliance’s side.

Addressing a joint rally with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav at Badaun in UP, she had said:

“Ali is ours, so is Bajrang Bali. We want both, especially the latter since he belongs to the Dalit community. Yogi himself said that Bajrang Bali was a forest dweller and a Dalit,” said Mayawati.

The Election Commission had earlier sent notices to both Mayawati and Adityanath over their speeches, delivered during political rallies in Deoband on 7 and 9 April respectively, violating the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission had earlier sent notices to both Mayawati and Adityanath over their speeches, delivered during political rallies in Deoband on 7 and 9 April respectively, violating the Model Code of Conduct.


‘What is EC Doing,’ Asks SC

Earlier in the day, the apex court took note of the alleged hate speeches made by Mayawati and Adityanath during poll campaign and sought to know from the EC the action initiated against them so far.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the EC for Tuesday while agreeing to examine the poll panel’s contention that it has limited legal power to deal with hate speeches of politicians during electioneering.

The bench referred to submissions of the EC that they can issue notice, then advisory and finally lodge a complaint against an errant politician for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by giving hate speeches based on caste and religion during campaign.

"The EC says they are toothless. They say that they first issue notice, then advisory and then complain," the bench said, adding it would examine the aspect relating to poll panel’s power to deal with hate speeches during poll campaign.

(More details are awaited.)