New Delhi: Holding that his anti-Muslim speeches amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission on Wednesday slapped notices on Varun Gandhi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking their response by Friday, even as it ordered video tracking of his entire campaign.
"The Commission is of the opinion that the above action on your part amounts to violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct," the EC said in its notice, referring to the speeches made by Gandhi in Mohalla Dalchand, Kotwali Pilibhit and Kasba Barkheda in Uttar Pradesh on March 7 and 8.
"Therefore, you are called upon to explain by 1100 hrs IST on March 20 as to why action should not be taken against you," the EC said, a day after filing a criminal case against Varun for his inflammatory utterances.
In its notice to BJP President Rajnath Singh, the EC said that it was of the opinion that the action of Gandhi as a member of BJP amounted to violation of Model Code of Conduct and asked it to reply by Friday as to why the party disregarded and violated the provisions of the Code.
The Commission said it has received a report of the District Election Officer, Pilibhit, on Tuesday stating that "you (Varun Gandhi) have violated the Model Code of Conduct by inciting communal feeling through your speeches".
A copy of the CD was sent to both Varun and the party.
Meanwhile, the Commission ordered video tracking of all visits, rallies and functions of Varun Gandhi.
In its communication to the Chief Electoral Officer of UP, the Commission directed him to depute a video cameraperson with a Magistrate all the time with security.
The Commission cited the provisions of the Model Code which said no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between difference castes and communities, religious or linguistic.
Under another provision, there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.
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