Chennai: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reprimanded and banned DMK MP A Raja from campaigning for 48 hours for his derogatory and scandalous remarks against Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
In an order, the ECI said it was not not sataisfactory with the explanation given by Mr Raja denying the allegations to the notice issued to him, imposed a 48 hour ban on him from campaigning with immediate effect and delisted his name from the DMK star campaigner list. Tamilnadu goes to polls on 6 April.
The ECI said it had received a complaint through Tamilnadu Chief Electoral Officer from the ruling AIADMK wherein it was alleged that Raja had made derogatory and scandolous speech against the Chief Minister during election campaign at Thousand Lights Assembly constituency.
It said the ECI had obtained a factual report in the matter from the CEO and the Central Crime Branch has registered a case against him under Sections 153, 294(b) of IPC and under Sec 127 of the Representation of the People Act,1951.
It said on the basis of preliminary reports and the transcripts of the statement, Raja had inter-alia stated that “M K Stalin (DMK chief) is a child of good relationship and good birth, while Edappadi K Palaniswami is a child of bad relationship and a premature born child”.
“After considering your statements and reports, the ECI had found the contents of the speech are not only derogatory, but also obscene and lower the dignity of motherhood of women, which is a serious violation of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and a notice was issued to you to explain your position,” it said.
In his interim reply, Raja had denied the allegation and asked for a copy of full text of the alleged abusive speech, copy of the complaint preferred by AIADMK and requested to give him an opportunity to give a detailed reply and personal hearing with his advocate, the ECI pointed out.
The ECI considered Raja’s reply and the same was not found satisfactory. It was also observed that asking for the above said details and more time to represent is an attempt to buy time which the ECI cannot afford to give in the midst of elections, the ECI said.
“After considering all facts, documents, reports and your reply, the ECI hereby reprimands you for violation of MCC, delists your name from the list of star campaigner of DMK and debars you from campaigning for 48 hours with immediate effect,” the ECI order said.
The ECI also advised him to be watchful and not to make intemperate, indecent, derogatory, obscene remarks and lower the dignity of women in future during election campaign, it said.