The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reprimanded Kozhikode District Congress Committee president K.C. Abu for inciting communal passion at an election rally in Beypore last month.
In its order used from Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi on May 1, the ECI came to the conclusion that Mr. Abu had violated the model code of conduct and had warned him “to be careful in future.”
Mr. Abu, in his speech on April 21, had said that if the United Democratic Front candidate, M.P. Adam Mulsi, was elected from Beypore constituency, the people would get a Muslim legislator as well as retain a Muslim Mayor.
Kozhikode Mayor V.K.C. Mammed Koya is the Left Democratic Front candidate in Beypore segment. What Mr. Abu meant was that if Mr. Koya was defeated, he would continue as Mayor.
The ECI had served a notice to Mr. Abu for violation of section 3 and 4 of Part 1 of the model code of conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates “by making statements with an appeal on the ground of caste and communal feelings for securing votes." He had also been asked to explain "why action should not be taken against you for the violation."
Mr. Abu gave a reply on April 28 denying having violated the model code of conduct. But the ECI found the explanation given by him unsatisfactory.
Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Prakash Babu, who is contesting from Beypore, had lodged complaints with the ECI and the Nallalam police station.
A case was registered against Mr. Abu under Section 125 (Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of the People Act.
