BJP, Congress and CPI(M) approach Election Commission

The BJP on Tuesday asked the Election Commission to take action against Congress leader and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for appealing to people from a particular community to vote for his party in Bihar. 

BJP said Congress was doing vote bank politics and was trying to divide the country on religious lines. 

A party delegation led by BJP leader and  Union Minister  J P Nadda met the Commission in New Delhi over the issue. 

Talking to reporters,  Mr. Nadda said the BJP also asked the poll body to review its decision of barring UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from poll campaigning for  72 hours. 

Mr Nadda said, in his comment, the Chief Minister was only talking about his faith and did not seek vote on religious lines. 

Mr. Nadda also asked the Commission to stop its voters' awareness advertisement in Chattisgarh using the phrase "your future is in your hand". 

He said the advertisement should be withdrawn as the hand is the symbol of Congress party which may mislead the voters. 

Congress also approached the Election Commission on different issues, including



reported objectionable comments made by BJP leaders. 

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said a party delegation also raised the issue of the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image on Railway tickets and asked for an immediate ban on it. He said, the delegation sought action on alleged communal remarks by top BJP leaders, including party Chief Amit Shah. 

Mr. Singhvi said the party has also urged the Commission to take action against Himachal BJP President for his alleged remarks against Congress President Rahul Gandhi. 

CPI(M) also approached Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his reported remarks on Sabarimala temple. 

Party leader Nilotpal Basu has written to Chief Election Commissioner citing Mr. Modi's remarks on Sabarimala temple in election rallies in Theni, Tamilnadu and Bangalore on the 13th  of this month. 

He alleged that Mr. Modi's reported comments are violative of Commission's order to refrain from using Sabarimala temple and Lord Ayyappa in the election campaign and demanded action against him.