Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Assam Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nazrul Islam for violation of the model code of conduct.
“Complaints against Islam had been filed with the EC by BJP for his alleged communal remark at an election meeting in Hojai on March 21,” Assam Additional Chief Electoral Officer R.C. Jain told PTI in Guwahati.
The EC has asked Mr. Islam to reply to the notice by 11.30 am on April 15 or necessary action would be initiated against him, he said.
When contacted, BJP spokesman Shiladitya Deb said Mr. Islam had said if Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister, it would be very bad for the Muslim community. He had also said that Mr. Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat after killing many Muslims.
The BJP, he said, had demanded immediate arrest of the minister and the complaint was filed under 153A and 153B sections for promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion and threatening national integration, both of which are non-bailable offences.
“We have also filed the complaint against Nowgong constituency Congress candidate Jonjonali Baruah in whose meeting Islam had uttered the comment. She did not try to stop him,” Mr. Deb alleged.
No comments could be got from Islam, who is also the Assam Welfare of Minorities Development and Haj Affairs Minister.
The second phase of polling is on in Assam, where the fate of candidates in there constituencies is being decided by the electorate.
