EC cracks down on Mahadev Sarkar over comment on Mahua
Kolkata: The Election Commission on Friday barred BJP leader from Nadia district Mahadev Sarkar from holding any public meetings, processions, public rallies, road shows, interviews or public utterances in social, print and audio visual media, for a period of 48 hours.
The timing of the ban on Sarkar, who is the Nadia district president of BJP, will be in effect from 4 pm today (Friday) till 4.00 pm on Sunday. The stringent action by the Commission comes in the wake of Sarkar violating the model code of conduct, by making offensive and sexually coloured remarks against Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress candidate from the Krishnanagar seat, during a public meeting at Krishnanagar Government College on April 22. The Commission has strongly condemned the statement in its order.
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Bengal had issued a show-cause notice to Sarkar and after the latter gave his reply, it was sent to the Commission's head office in Delhi. Dissatisfied with the reply of the BJP leader, the Commission took action against him.
"He has not denied making the alleged comments that have been ascribed to him in the complaint made by Mahua Moitra. He has, however, maintained that the alleged matter does not come under the MCC," the order copy of the EC read.
It may be mentioned that the Commission has already issued a direction to all political parties to refrain from any deeds/actions that may be construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women. Moitra had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court, pointing out certain offensive and sexually coloured remarks by Sarkar against her. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, disposed her plea on Thursday by directing the Commission to pass 'necessary' orders in the matter 'forthwith'.
"I am happy that the Commission has taken strong action. BJP leaders have often been found making objectionable comments during election rallies. They should take this as a lesson and be careful before making such remarks during political meetings and rallies," Moitra said.
