The Election Commission, taking cognisance of a complaint lodged by the Congress, has issued a notice to BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj for a speech in Meerut that allegedly had the effect of promoting enmity on religious grounds in Uttar Pradesh. The MP has been asked to respond to the allegations by January 11, or the EC will initiate further action. Noting that the Model Code of Conduct was in place in the poll-bound State and that the Supreme Court recently given a judgment — whereby invoking religion, caste, etc, for influencing voters is a corrupt practice under the Representation of People Act, — the Commission raised questions on the parliamentarian's speech in Meerut on January 6. The Commission, which also mentioned that a police case was registered against him, said the complaint filed on January 7 alleges that his Meerut speech, read in entirety, had the effect of promoting enmity between different classes in connection with the election on grounds of religion.
