New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has decided to let off Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath with a light rap on the knuckles for his “Modiji ki sena” remark, asking him to “be more careful” in the future.
The EC also told Adityanath that since he is a senior politician holding an important position, his remarks should reflect his stature.
The commission was not satisfied with his reply in which he is learnt to have hailed the role of the EC in conducting polls.
Copy of EC’s order to UP CM Yogi Adityanath @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/pMsSw44nfr
— Ritika Chopra (@KhurafatiChopra) April 5, 2019
The EC had issued the Uttar Pradesh chief minister a show cause notice based on a video clip submitted by the Ghaziabad district magistrate which showed Adityanath making the remarks at the election rally there on Sunday.
Adityanath, who addressed election meetings in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida on Sunday, had lashed out at the Congress for what he called was its “soft approach towards terrorism and terrorists”.
Also read: EC Deals Firmly with Opposition, ‘Conveys Displeasure’ to BJP Leaders
“Congress ke log aatankwadiyon ko biryani khilate the aur Modi ji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai (Congress leaders would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi’s army gives them bullets and bombs). This is the difference. The Congress people use ‘ji’ to refer to (JeM chief) Masood Azhar to encourage terrorism,” Adityanath had said at the Ghaziabad election rally.
The EC’s reaction to Adityanath’s comments seems rather mild compared to action being taken against opposition parties. For instance, it removed the chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, a favoured officer of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, over an issue of compliance with a previous order.
The Congress on Saturday questioned the EC’s decision on Adityanath, saying that the Uttar Pradesh chief minister “insults” the Indian Army and the poll body writes a “love letter” to him.
The opposition party also came down hard on the EC communication to NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar, saying he criticised the party’s proposed minimum income scheme NYAY and the poll body told him “don’t do it in future”.
“Has the MCC now become ‘Modi Code of Conduct’. Adityanath insults the Indian Army – EC writes a love letter to him,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted.
“NITI Aayog vice chairman criticises the NYAY scheme – EC says ‘don’t do it in future’,” he said.
Why is the EC shying away from showing the mirror of truth to those in power, Surjewala asked.
(With PTI inputs)