Hate songs on despite Election Commission whip

The Election Commission's tough action against four political leaders does not seem to have dissuaded other politicians from launching hate tirades while the model code of conduct is in force this election season.

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the list of violators on Tuesday when at a rally in Katihar, Bihar, he made a communal appeal to Muslims to vote for Congress to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the general election.

On Monday, the Election Commission, after being prodded by the Supreme Court, barred Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BSP chief Mayawati, Samajwadi heavyweight Azam Khan and BJP candidate Maneka Gandhi for 48 hours to 72 hours from making any public speeches for making communally-laced appeals for votes and hate speeches.

Sidhu appealed to them saying given their sizeable population in the state, no one would be able to defeat the Congress as long they remain united and vote for party president Rahul Gandhi. He beseeched voters to allow their votes to be split by siding with parties such as Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) which helps the BJP.

"Main aapko chetavni dena aya hun Muslim bhaiyon," said the Congress leader. "Ye baant rahe hain aapko, ye yahan Owaisi jaise logon ko la ke, ek nai party sath mein khadi kar aap logon ki vote baant ke jeetna chahte hain. Agar tum log ikkathe hue, ek jut hoke vote dala toh Modi sulat jaega (I have come here to warn you, Muslim brothers. They are trying to divide you. By bringing in people such as Owaisi and helping a new party form a base here, they are trying to divide your votes. If you all stand united and vote, then Modi can be defeated)."

In a separate incident, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Guddu Pandit threatened Congress candidate Raj Babbar using objectionable language at a rally in Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)."Sunn lo Raj Babbar ke kutton, tumko aur tumare neta nachaniya ko dauda-dauda ke jooton se maarunga jo jhoott faelaya samaaj mein. Jahan milega, Ganga maa ki saugandh, tujhe jooton se maarunga, tujhe aur tere dalaalon ko. (Listen, Raj Babbar's pet dogs. I'll hit you and your dancing leader with shoes for spreading lies in society. I swear by mother Ganga, I'll beat you and your pimps with shoes whenever I find you)."

Unkind Words

Stage was set at rallies in Bihar, UP

• Congress leader in Punjab, former cricketer Navjot Sidhu appealed to Muslims in Bihar saying they should not allow their votes to be divided
• He added that given their sizeable population in the state, they should pledge their support to Congress president Rahul Gandhi
• In UP, BSP leader Guddu Pandit used foul language to rile up a crowd against Cong candidate Raj Babbar
• Calling the leader a ‘dancer’ and his supporters ‘pimps’, ‘dogs’ he threatened to beat them up with shoes