The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday served a show cause notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his remarks, describing the armed forces as “Modi ji Ki Sena”.
“The Chief Minister has been asked to furnish his response by Thursday,” said an U.P. election official.
The U.P. Chief Electoral Officer had earlier sent a report to the EC on the Chief Minister’s comment after getting details from the District Magistrate concerned.
At a rally in Ghaziabad on March 31, Mr. Adityanath had targetted the Congress saying that it served “biryani” to terrorists, while Mr. Modi’s forces treated them with bullets and bombs.
He said the Congress leaders used “Ji” for terrorists like Masood Azhar, but the BJP-led government was destroying their camps under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Mr. Adityanath’s remarks triggered a sharp reaction from the Opposition parties. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to express shock.
Terming it as an insult to the defence forces, Ms. Banerjee said, “We are proud of our Army. They belong to all. They are a great asset of our nation, and not a cassette of the BJP. People of this country must stand up and reject this statement.”
The Congress demanded an apology. “This is an insult to our armed forces. They are India’s Armed Forces, not the private Army of Prachaar Mantri ,” tweeted Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.
Condemning the comment, the CPI had also said that the EC should take action. “This is a clear way of intimidating the voters and creating a fear psychosis in their minds,” said CPI leader D. Raja.
The EC had earlier issued an advisory asking all political parties, its candidates and cadres to desist from indulging in any propaganda involving activities of defence forces.
Stating that “strictest action” would be taken against any violation, the EC had reminded them of a general advisory dated December 4, 2013, on the same issue.
