EC bans Congress leader Randeep Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over remarks against Hema Malini

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala

The Election Commission on April 16 banned Congress leader Randeep Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over his remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Hema Malini.

"The commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars Surjewala from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc. in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 6 pm on April 16," it said.

Last week, the poll body had issued a show-cause notice to Surjewala for his alleged "undignified and vulgar" remarks against the actor-turned politician.

"The commission without prejudice to any order/notice issued or to be issued subsequently to him in the matter relating to MCC violations, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statement made by him during the election campaign held in Haryana and reprimands Randeep Surjewala for the misconduct," the EC said.