EC in action mode ; bans Yogi Adityanath and Mayawati for breaking model code of conduct, action on Azam khan awaited
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Dalit icon Mayawati both are barred from campaigning by Election Commission due to polarizing statements they made. The EC is reportedly acting in response to SC questioning on how it is curbing violation of codes during election.
Election Commission bans UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 hours & 48 hours respectively, starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/j1cYzMY8Mr
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 15, 2019
Yogi Adityanath had made a statement saying Congress is infected by a “green virus”, a reference to muslims. “If you have faith in Ali, we have faith in Bajrangbali” he says at a public rally. Yogi is seen as a communal and a firebrand leader by many. While BSP chief Mayawati specifically asked Muslim community to not split their votes towards BJP or Congress and make mahagatbandhan or grand-alliance victorious. BSP is in alliance with Samajwadi Party (SP) in crucial Uttar Pradesh state.
Azam Khan controversy
In a reportedly inappropri ate and misogynistic statement Samajwadi Party leader Azam khan made against BJP candidate and former actress Jaya Prada, referring to her ‘underwear’ is being criticized widely.
In a video he can be heard saying, “Jisko hum ungli pakadkar Rampur laaye, aapne 10 saal jinse apna pratinidhitva karaya…Uski asliyat samajhne mein aapko 17 baras lage,main 17 din mein pehchan gaya ki inke niche ka underwear khaki rang ka hai”.
National Commission for Women (NCW) termed the statement as “extremely derogatory and disrespectful to the dignity of women” in a tweet, demanding immediate action against the candidate.
In lieu of Mr. Azam Khan's recent comments that were blatantly sexist in nature, which are in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and provisions of the IPC, @NCWIndia has urged the Election Commission to take strict and appropriate action. pic.twitter.com/fObJK4tFrR
— NCW (@NCWIndia) April 15, 2019
Top brass BJP leaders weighed in to controversy terming opposition mindset as “cheap” and silence of SP’s allies as ”surprising”.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Azam Khan's remark: This shows the thinking & culture of Samajwadi Party. The silence of SP chief & his ally Mayawati, who is also a woman, is surprising. This is very unfortunate…Azam Khan's statement is extremely disrespectful, shows his cheap mindset pic.twitter.com/corLRj8XfP
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2019
