New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI) BJP today moved the Election Commission seeking a ban on Law Minister Salman Khurshid's campaigning in Uttar Pradesh in view of his alleged defiance of the poll body's censure for remarks sub-quopta for minorities' remarks. "If left unchecked, these postures will undermine the legitimacy of the Election Commission of India and its constitutional obligation for providing free and fair elections. "Lest the model code of conduct becomes a toothless wonder, there is dire need for the ECI to impose sanctions more stringent than mere censure. It is now more than apparent that the Law minister will continue undaunted to seek votes on the basis of religion--a practice abhorred by the Commission It is, therefore, necessary in the fitness of things to keep him away from the scene of elections," said the BJP complaint against Khurshid to the Election Commission. Citing its earlier orders in banning cabinet ministers from campaigning in Lalu Prasad Yadav's constituency in Bihar elections, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who sent the fresh complaint to the EC, said "this is a fit case where the ECI could consider imposing a ban on Shri Khurshid entering the state of Uttar Pradesh during the poll process. District Magistrates do pass such orders in the interest of maintenance of law and order." Naqvi, in his complaint, added, "ECI may also like to report the whole matter to the Prime Minister for suitable disciplinary action against the Law Minister for undermining the authority of the Commission during the crucial period of a poll process." (MORE)
