New Delhi: The Election Commission of India barred president of BJP’s Nadia unit, Mahadev Sarkar, from campaigning over his sexist remarks against Trinamool Congress MP candidate Mahua Moitra on Friday. The EC order came a day after the Supreme Court had directed the poll panel to take immediate action against the BJP leader. The apex court on April 25 had directed the poll panel to act against the BJP leaders for passing “highly offensive and sexually coloured remarks” against Moitra, the TMC’s candidate from Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. Moitra had moved the apex court after she alleged that the ECI did not act against the BJP leaders despite her party’s repeated complaints. She had said that the poll body should act against the saffron party’s leaders immediately as only 48 hours were left before Krishnanagar goes to polls on April 29.Also read: From Modi to Mulayam, Politicians Who Belittle Women Need to be ShamedShe had also said that Sarkar made the derogatory remarks against her in presence of the BJP candidate Kalyan Chaubey.A day after the SC order, the EC barred Sarkar from campaigning for 48 hours.Citing paragraph 1(2) of the model code of conduct that prohibits a candidate from making any comments on her opponent’s private life, the EC strongly condemned the “impugned statements” made by Sarkar during a rally on 22 April at Krishnanagar government college grounds.“The Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India….bars Shri Mahadev Sarkar, District President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nadia, 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 4.00 p.m on 26th April, 2019 (Friday) till 4.00 p.m on 28th April, 2019 (Sunday),” the EC order said.
