Peeved with poll panel, SP will now move SC
19 April 2014 12:25 AM GMT
Locking horns with the Election Commission, the Samajwadi Party on Friday came out in support of its leader Azam Khan, who has blamed the poll body of being unfair to him while lifting ban against BJP leader Amit Shah. Both have been charged with giving hate speeches.Â
Labeling the Election Commission’s decision to revoke the ban on BJP leader Amit Shah as ‘unfortunate’, the Samajwadi Party said it was an ‘injustice’ to party leader Khan.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav stood in support of Khan on Friday. ‘There are several forces against the Muslims including the BJP,’ he said. Hitting out at EC for lifting the ban on Shah, Azam Khan on Friday said he will move the Supreme Court against the poll panel’s order barring him from campaigning in the state.
‘Can any commission be above the Supreme Court. The Election Commission (EC) has a misunderstanding that its arbitrary powers can’t be challenged in any court,’ he said at a press conference in Rampur.
The EC on Thursday allowed Shah to campaign in UP after he assured the poll body that he would not disturb public tranquility and law and order. Asking why he was not given similar relief, Azam told reporters: ‘A criminal, an assailant and a murderer of humanity, whose entry into Gujarat has been banned by the Supreme Court, availed freedom to campaign whereas the voice of a person whose entire community is a victim and who has a spotless character has been crushed.’
Accusing the EC of acting at the behest of Congress and ignoring the high ideals and impartial practices as provided in the Constitution, he said, ‘I shall approach the apex court and I believe I will get justice’.
Akhilesh Yadav said a letter has been sent to the EC requesting the lifting of the ban on Azam. Akhilesh, who is also the state president of Samajwadi Party, blamed the EC for banning Azam from holding public meetings and road-shows without going through his reply. ‘We have full faith on the EC and they will certainly lift the ban on Azam Khan very soon,’ he said.
 SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav has sent a 3-page letter to the EC requesting them to revoke the ban on Azam Khan since Shah has been allowed to address public meetings and road shows.Â
In its letter addressed to principal secretary of Election Commission, Yadav gave detail about various statements made by different leaders during the campaign which the EC did not take notice of. He also clarified the statements made by Azam Khan.
‘SP requests that the order of the censure of 16 April and direction on ban of public meetings and road-shows of 11 April should be withdrawn as Azam’s absence in the campaign trail is causing damage to the party and giving unfair advantage to the rival parties,’ said Ram Gopal Yadav.
Next Story
