Fearing SC Wrath, EC Cracks Whip on SP’s Azam Khan and BJP’s Maneka Gandhi

Khan has been barred from campaigning for 72 hours; Union Minister Maneka Gandhi for 48 hours.

Lucknow/New Delhi: Fearing the wrath of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission has barred SP’s Azam Khan and BJP’s Maneka Gandhi from campaigning for limited periods.

Taking cognizance of their alleged controversial comments, the EC barred Khan from campaigning for 72 hours while Maneka Gandhi has been barred from election campaigning for 48 hours.

The prohibition on the two leaders will begin at 10 am today (April 16).
Azam Khan while addressing an election rally on Sunday had made derogatory remarks against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada, the BJP candidate from Rampur.

“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,” Khan had said while addressing an election rally in Rampur.

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on April 12 had said in a public address in Sultanpur that her win from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency was certain “with or without” the support of the Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once BJP is in power.

“You have to recognise that this victory is sure without you and even with you, and you will have to spread the word,” she said while addressing a rally in Sultanpur.

Earlier on Monday, EC had crackdown on Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and UP CM Yogi Adityanath from campaigning for 48 hours and 72 hours respectively for making speeches which allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct.

Taking note of the alleged hate speeches made by Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath during poll campaign, the Supreme Court on Monday sought to know from the Election Commission the action initiated against them so far.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, even summoned a representative of the Election Commission for Tuesday (April 16) 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 EC says they are toothless. They say they first issue notice, then advisory and then complain,” the bench said, and added it will examine the aspect relating to poll panel’s power to deal with hate speeches during poll campaign.

While hearing a PIL seeking strict action against political parties for religion and caste-based remarks made by their members, the Supreme Court had said the poll body was duty-bound to take action and cannot sleep over such issues.