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'Mini-Pakistan': EC Lets Off BJP's Suvendu Adhikari With Light Rap for Remark

The Wire Staff
Apr 13, 2021
The poll panel told Adhikari that it "advises him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when the MCC is in force."

New Delhi: The Election Commission has let off BJP candidate from West Bengal’s Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari with a light rap for his “mini-Pakistan” remark made at a public meeting last month.

Bengal is in the middle of eight-phase elections, which have seen campaigns unparalleled in attempts at communal polarisation.

In an order issued on Monday night, the poll panel warned Adhikari and said it “advises him to desist from using such statement while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force”.

The decision contrasts significantly with the EC’s other decision on Monday, that of barring West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours over her remarks against central forces and a statement which the EC alleges had “religious overtones.”

Also read: Election Commission Bans Mamata Banerjee From Campaigning for 24 Hours

The order on Adhikari said the commission is of the considered view that Adhikari violated Para 2 and 3 of Part 1 ‘General Conduct of Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates’.

Adhikari is pitted against the Trinamool Congress chief in Nandigram, where polls were held earlier this month.

The state’s ruling Trinamool Congress has maintained that the Election Commission has been acting on the behest of the Centre, ruled by BJP, and that it has been ignoring the complaints of TMC leaders.

The ECI’s decision against the chief minister led to many opposition leaders accusing the institution of a selective approach that invariably favours the BJP. On Monday, many had pointed out that the EC has not taken such a punitive decision against multiple BJP leaders who have been attempting to polarise the electorate on religious lines, and against whom complaints too have been filed.

The poll panel had received a complaint from Kavita Krishnan of CPI-ML Central Committee which alleged that Adhikari delivered a “hate speech” while addressing a public meeting in Nandigram on March 29.

Also read: ‘Mini-Pakistan’: Closer to Poll Date, BJP’s Nandigram Campaign Turns Openly Anti-Muslim

“Election is knocking at the door. You are not giving votes to Begum. If you vote for Begum, there will be mini-Pakistan. (Barely audible)… A Dawood Ibrahim has come up in your locality… We will note down everything. What is the government doing? What is the use of it?” the EC notice issued to Adhikari on April 8 said quoting his speech.

In his reply to the notice, Adhikari said he firmly believes in a free, fair and impartial election where there is no ill-will between the candidates and no personal attack is made while criticising political opponents.

The BJP leader said he had no malafide intention to criticise anyone personally or make any offensive or derogatory statement against anyone. He also promised to abide by any directives of the EC.

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