After the election commission’s decision to ban any rallies of its general secretary Amit Shah, the BJP said they would explore all legal options and even ask the election panel to review its decision.
“The BJP has been deeply saddened by the 11th April order of Election Commission related to Amit Shah though the party has the highest regards for the majesty and authority of the Commission,” BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad said. He added that the party would explore all legal options.The party on Saturday approached the Election Commission to seek a review of its order banning Amit from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of his “revenge” remarks.
Shah has also replied to the EC show cause notice for prima facie violating the Model Code after he received a copy of the CD of his alleged “hate speech”, as demanded by him.
In his reply Shah has claimed that his “revenge” remarks should not be read in the way as construed and had simply told the voters to exercise their voting right to give a befitting reply to those who have ignored their issues.Sources said Shah has pleaded not guilty of violating the Model Code and has sought review on his campaigning ban. Shah in his reply, the sources say, has claimed that he has only reiterated what people should do during election time which is in no way a violation of the Model Code.
Sources say Shah has also claimed in his reply that what he has said in no way disturbs the communal harmony and has only made an appeal to the voters under the democratic process in every elections.
The BJP said the order banning Shah from campaigning raised “disturbing” questions and sought its review by the EC in the interest of natural justice. The BJP said without even awaiting the response to the notice, such a punitive order has been issued which “prima facie is in the violation of the principle of natural justice”.
Cracking the whip against Shah and Azam Khan, the Election Commission has banned them from holding public meetings, processions or roadshows in UP and asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against them.
The EC also directed the UP Chief Secretary to ensure no act of commission or omission is resorted to by Shah and Khan that can affect public tranquillity and law and order.
Shah had landed in a major controversy for telling a public meeting that the coming general election is an opportunity to seek “revenge for the insult” inflicted during the riots in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh last year.
Double Trouble
The UP police registered two cases against Amit Shah for alleged violation of the model code of conduct following a direction of the Election Commission, which has also banned him from campaigning in the state.
While one case has been registered in Kakroli police station, another one has been registered in Newmandi police station against Shah, Additional District Magistrate Indermani Tripathi said.
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