NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday ordered a first information report (FIR) to be filed against BJP MLA from Telangana T Raja Singh over his video clip threatening voters in Uttar Pradesh. The FIR should invoke Sections 171C and 171F of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 123 of Representation of the People Act, EC directed the UP chief electoral officer.
The poll body also censured Singh for his “utterly irresponsible and intimidating” statement and banned him for 72 hours, starting 6pm on Saturday, from holding any public meetings, rallies, processions and roadshows; giving interviews; or making any public utterances in the media.
Singh, who was served a notice by EC on Wednesday asking why action should not be taken against him for the viral video clip within 24 hours, had allowed him further time until 1pm on Saturday. However, after no response was received within the deadline, the Election Commission went ahead with deciding the matter.
In an order issued on Saturday, EC said the statements by Singh – threatening voters in UP that bulldozers would be used if they did vote for the BJP and that those not backing Yogi Adityanath will have to leave UP – “are utterly irresponsible and intimidating” to the voters”, particularly as he is a public representative, and “have the undertone and propensity to unduly influence the election in the state of UP”.
Holding the remarks to be in violation of Section 171C and 171F of IPC, Section 123 of R P Act and the model code of conduct, EC said it “deplores” “censures” them.