lok-sabha-elections

Updated: May 02, 2020 20:45 IST

A case has been registered against BJP’s Rampur candidate Jaya Prada for her remarks involving SP leader Azam Khan and BSP chief Mayawati, days after the SP leader made controversial comments on the actor-turned-politician and invited campaign ban from the Election Commission.

“Considering the comments Azam Khan makes against me, Mayawati ji you must think “unki X-ray jaisi aankhein aapke upar bhi kaha-kaha daal kar dekhengi”, the BJP leader said during a campaign rally in Kemri on April 18.

A non-cognizable offence information report was registered for poll code violation against Jaya Prada following this comment.

Earlier, Azam Khan faced 72-hour EC ban from campaigning after he attacked Jaya Prada in Rampur by allegedly speculating on the colour of her innerwear. He attracted the BJP wrath, besides that of the National Commission for Women.

“I brought her (Jaya Prada) to Rampur. You are a witness that I did not allow anyone to touch her body. It took you 17 years to identify her real face but I got to know in 17 days that she wears khaki underwear,” Khan had said while addressing a campaign rally in Rampur.

Other leaders to face EC action for violating poll code through their speeches were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mayawati and BJP leader Manek Gandhi.

Adityanath courted controversy over his ‘Ali, Bajrang Bali’ remark, in apparent response to BSP chief Mayawati’s speech during an election rally. Mayawati, in her speech at a rally in Saharanpur’s Deoband on April 7, had appealed to Muslims to vote for the alliance and not divide their vote by supporting another political party.

Two days later, according to the Election Commission, Yogi Adityanath told a rally in Meerut about Mayawati’s speech and said: “If the Congress, SP and BSP have faith in ‘Ali’, we have faith in ‘Bajrang Bali’, the followers of Bajrang Bali will not tolerate them.”

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi got into trouble with the Election Commission over her speech in Sultanpur where she was, according to a widely-circulated video clip, asked Muslims to vote for her. “I will not feel good about a victory without the support of Muslims. My feelings will get hurt. If Muslims then come to me asking for work, then I will think ‘let it be, how does it matter?’ Dil khatta ho jayega (my heart will turn sour).”