The Election Commission, in a fresh notice to U.P. Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who has been barred from addressing poll rallies in the State, sought an explanation for his “baseless allegations” against the Commission.
Asking him to explain by April 25 or face the consequences, the EC noted with concern his alleged continuous violation of the model code of conduct.
“You have made totally baseless and scurrilous allegations against the Election Commission of lndia, a constitutional authority enjoined upon by the mandate to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, and also made statements which have the impact of creating mutual hatred among different sections of society, religious as well linguistic,” it noted.
Mr. Khan has stepped up his attack on the EC, threatening to take it to the Supreme Court after it lifted the ban on election rallies of BJP leader Amit Shah. On April 11, in a bid to curb hate speech in the course of election campaign, the EC banned public meetings of both Mr. Shah and Mr. Khan for their provocative speeches.
On April 16, the Commission, after considering the replies of both the leaders, censured them for violation of the model code of conduct. However, the very next day it lifted the ban on Mr. Shah on the basis of a review petition filed by him giving an undertaking that he would be mindful of his utterances.
