The Election Commission of India (ECI) has put a 72-hour prohibition on campaigning by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and 48-hour ban on BSP chief Mayawati for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The restriction on the two leaders starts from 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
The Commission had earlier served a show cause notice on Mr. Adityanath for his “Ali-Bajrang Bali” remark at a political rally, in response to Ms. Mayawati’s appeal to Muslims for vote.
Mr. Adityanath, at a rally on April 9, said that if the Congress, SP and the BSP had faith in “Ali”, “then we also have faith in Bajrang Bali”.
The Commission also took note of Ms. Mayawati’s speech at Deoband on April 7. After going through a video-clip of her speech, the poll panel said it was, prima facie, a violation of the MCC.
Both the leaders submitted their reply. However, unsatisfied with their explanation, the Commission put a prohibition on their involvement in political campaigning.
The EC had earlier cautioned Mr. Adityanath to be more careful in future pertaining to his “Modi Ji Ki Sena” comment.
