The EC Friday barred BJP Nadia district president Mahadev Sarkar from holding any public meeting, rallY or speak to the media till April 28 for violating the model code of conduct by making sexually coloured remarks against TMC Lok Sabha candidate from Krishnagar, Mahua Moitra.
The EC severely reprimanded the BJP leader for his misconduct and violating the model code of conduct.
It also strongly condemned the statements by Sarkar during a rally held in Krishnanagar on April 22.
"The Commission is of the view that Mahadev Sarkar has clearly
violated the aforesaid provision of the MCC and ECI's direction. It under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, also bars Mahadev Sarkar from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with the ongoing elections for 48 hours, from today 4 PM till April 28 4 PM," the order stated.
The EC official referred to the paragraph 1 (2) of the MCC stating, "Criticism of other political parties, when made shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided."
Incidentally, the Commission had served a showcause letter to Sarkar on April 23 in connection with his comments against Moitra, who had filed a complaint with it on the same day.
The Commission was dissatisfied with Sarkar's replies and found that the BJP leader had not denied making the alleged comments that had been ascribed to him in the complaint.
"He has, however, maintained that the alleged matter does not come under the MCC," it had said.
"I am very happy that the EC has after all done something. But the saddest part is that it came only after I moved to the Supreme Court seeing the Commission had done nothing after getting my complaint. I am glad and hope that the observers will be more vigilant and complainants in similar cases need not move the court for action,' Moitra told PTI.
She had moved the Supreme Court on April 24 and it had on directed the Election Commission the next day day (Thursday) to act immediately on Moitra's plea.
Calls to Sarkar for his response went unanswered.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)