Kolkata, Apr 18 (UNI) The Election Commission on Sunday imposed a 24-hour campaign ban on Trinamool Congress leader Sujata Mondal and BJP’s Sayantanu Basu with effect from 1900hrs.
The EC has given 24 hours to Sujata Mondal, who has been fielded by the Trinamool Congress from Arambagh seat, to explain her “SC voters are beggars” comment.
The EC had received the complaint from a Bharatiya Janata Party delegation who said Ms Mondal had made the comments while giving an interview to a news channel.
“The Commission has carefully considered her reply which does not justify the relevant portions of her statement denigrating the Scheduled Caste community in West Bengal and is of considered view that Ms Sujata Mondal has violated clause (1) of Part 1 'General Conduct of Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates' through her remarks which could cause tension between different castes thereby adversely affecting the election process,” the EC said in a statement.
“Now, therefore, the Commission hereby sternly warns Ms Mondal and advises her to desist from using such statement while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force and imposes a ban of 24 hours from 7PM on 18.04.2021 to 7PM on 19.04.2021 during which she shall not be allowed to campaign,” the statement said.
The EC also sent a notice to BJP's Sayanatan Basu for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct during the campaign for West Bengal elections.
This was based on a complaint against an "inflammatory statement" made by the West Bengal BJP general secretary in connection with the Sitalkuchi violence at a public rally in Baranagar, North 24 Parganas. The poll body sought an explanation from Basu within 24 hours failing which it would take a decision without any reference to him.
UNI BM PS1853