Hakim lashes out at EC 'bias' towards Modi, slams Rajnath

Kolkata: Mayor Firhad Hakim alleged bias on part of the Election Commission when it comes to issuing instructions for removal of banners and hoardings with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The outburst from the Mayor came after the Commission wrote to the Municipal Commissioner, urging him to take steps to remove hoardings and banners with images of Mamata Banerjee that are still found in some parks under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

"We have already removed most of the hoardings or banners with picture of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee immediately after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect. I have instructed my officials to remove any more such banners with immediate effect. We are always ready to abide by the norms of elections and instructions of the Commission in this regard. But I am sorry to say that several such banners exist on national highways and petrol pumps, with pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM's pictures have been found on rail tickets too. But the Commission has turned a blind eye to many of these. Such bias is unfortunate," Hakim said.

He also lashed out at Union Home minister Rajnath Singh, over his statement at a political rally at Amta, Howrah that if the saffron party is voted back to power, he will let the Opposition know where they stand. "Why shouldn't the Commission ban him for such a remark? He is presently the Home minister and we do not know whether he will be in power after the election results are announced. So such arrogant statements are undesirable," Hakim said.