Election Commission Banned Rahul Sinha from Campaigning for 48 hours
One day ago Election Commission had banned Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours for her comments against central forces and a statement that allegedly had religious overtones.
Archive image of Suvendu Adhikari. Image Courtesy: Twitter @ suvenduadhika20
On Tuesday, the Election Commission banned BJP leader Rahul Sinha from campaigning for 48 hours and put a tip on his West Bengal boss, Dilip Ghosh, for his “provocative” comments about the killing of four people by CISF shooting. during the electoral violence in Sitalkuchi, saying that the statements could have a serious impact on law and order.
Strongly condemning Sinha’s statements that central forces “should have killed eight people instead of four,” the EC said he made “very provocative statements in which he mocked human life and incited forces that could have serious implications for law and order. ”
The Commission said it found that the leaders’ comments violated the model code and various provisions of the People’s Representation Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The assembly’s high-octane election campaign in the state, where the BJP and the Trinamool Congress have unleashed a boundless attack on each other, has seen the EC clamp down on the leaders of both parties for their objectionable statements.
On Monday, the voting panel barred West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours for her comments against central forces and a statement that allegedly carried religious overtones.
The EC, in another order, has fired Nandigram’s BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari with a light blow for his comments that “if people vote for Begum, there will be a mini Pakistan.”
“Now, therefore, the Commission is warning Shri Suvendu Adhikari and advising him to desist from using such a statement while making public statements during the period that the Model Code of Conduct is in effect,” said the order issued Monday by the night.
Adhikari faces Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, where elections were held earlier this month.
The EC took suo motu knowledge of Rahul Sinha’s statements and said that it decided to issue the order without notifying him due to the urgency of the matter.
After the Trinamool Congress approached the Commission against Ghosh for his statements that there would be “Sitalkuchi in various places”, the EC asked him to respond to their notification and make his position clear on the matter before 10 o’clock. Wednesday morning.
The notice stated that the Commission considers that Dilip Ghosh has violated several clauses of the Model Code of Conduct and provisions of the
The People’s Representation Act 1951 and the Indian Penal Code “made statements that are provocative and can seriously stir up emotions.”
This could “lead to a breakdown of law and order, which would adversely affect the electoral process,” the notice said.
Sinha’s ban begins at 12 noon on Tuesday and will remain in effect until 12 noon on April 15, according to the order.
The order cited the text of Sinha’s speech in which he said: “The central forces have given them an adequate response. If they do it again, they will be dealt with again in the appropriate way.”
“The central forces should have killed eight people instead of four in Sitalkuchi. The central forces should receive a notice of good cause why they have killed only four of them.”
The order read: “The Commission hereby strongly condemns the above statements made by Rahul Sinha, BJP, and strongly advises you to be careful not to use such statements when making public statements during the period that the Model Code of Conduct is in effect. in force “, according to the order.
Four men were killed in a booth in the Sitalkuchi assembly constituency in Cooch Behar during the fourth phase of voting on April 10 when CISF personnel opened fire after being attacked by locals who “tried to take away their rifles.” .
The EC notice against Ghosh cited his alleged comments in which the BJP leader said: “Where do so many naughty boys come from? Those naughty boys were shot on Monday in Shitalkuchi. These naughty boys will not be in Bengal.”
“This is just the beginning. Those who thought that the central forces rifles were meant to be just for a show have now well understood the power of cartridges … there will be Shitalkuchi in various places. So be careful.”
He also reportedly said that “this will be carried out throughout Bengal. Those who take the law into their own hands will receive an appropriate response.”
The eight-phase assembly elections in West Bengal will take place between March 27 and April 29.
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