EC serves fresh notice on Azam Khan for derogatory remarks against Modi, Kalyan

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 16

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Already barred from campaigning for his sexist comments, Mahagathbandhan candidate from Rampur Azam Khan’s trouble got compounded on Tueseday with the Election Commission issuing a fresh notice for making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh.

The Commission noted that he has been “prima facie”found to be guilty of violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC). 

Asking Khan to explain his stand on his statements mentioned in the notice within 24 hours, the poll panel said, if he failed to do so it shall take a decision without further reference to him.

The decision came a day after he was barred from campaigning for 72 hours for making sexist remarks against his rival BJP candidate Jaya Prada.  

“The Commission is prima facie of the opinion that you have violated the provisions of MCC,” the poll panel said in a release. 

The relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 have been violated and he “wilfully disobeyed the order of honourable Supreme Court by making the highly objectionable and provocative statements”, it added.

The EC notice stated: “Any person who in connection with an election under the 1951 Act promotes or attempts to promote on ground of religion, race, caste, community or language, feelings of enmity or hatred, between different classes of the citizens of India shall be punishable, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.”