UP police on Saturday registered two cases against Narendra Modi’s close aide Amit Shah in Muzaffarnagar for alleged violation of the model code of conduct following a direction of the Election Commission, which has also banned him from campaigning in the state.
While one case has been registered in Kakroli police station, another one has been registered in Newmandi police station against Amit Shah, Additional District Magistrate Indermani Tripathi told PTI.
The BJP leader has been accused of making objectionable speeches in Badwar village in Muzaffarnagar on April 4, where he reportedly said said, “If Modi wins, Mullah Mulayam’s government will fall“.
Mr. Shah has been booked under Section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC and 123(3) of Representation of the People Act (relating to appeal by a candidate to vote on the ground of his religion, race, caste, community or language), he said, adding after checking the videos, his speeches were found objectionable.
Mr. Tripathi said that the step has been taken on the direction of Election Commission, which had on Saturday asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against the leader.
The EC had directed the Chief Secretary to ensure that no act of commission or omission is resorted to by Mr. Shah that can affect public tranquillity and law and order.
Mr. Shah on Saturday said he will urge the EC to review its decision after considering his response, in which he will explain the context of his remarks.
“I respect the Election Commission and have not addressed a single meeting since its order,” the BJP general secretary state.
Mr. Shah, who is BJP’s UP incharge, has also been booked in Shamli in Bijnore for his “revenge” remarks.
BJP defends Amit Shah
BJP said it was “deeply saddened” by the EC order on party leader Amit Shah and defended his “revenge remarks”, which had triggered a political storm and invited condemnation.
The EC had passed a similar order against SP leader and Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan.
“BJP has been deeply saddened by the 11th April order of Election Commission related to Amit Shah though BJP has the highest regards for the majesty and authority of the Commission,” the party’s chief media coordinator, Ravishankar Prasad, said at a press conference.
He said the BJP will explore all legal options on the issue.
The EC was, in fact, angry over Mr. Khan’s controversial speeches and Uttar Pradesh’s Government’s inability to take action against him, but Mr. Shah is paying the price for the SP leader’s deeds, Mr. Prasad said.
Defending Mr. Shah’s controversial “revenge remarks”, the Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, “Amit Shah has not talked about violence, tension. He just said if you are distressed, exploited and feeling disrespected by SP and Congress then vote against them.”
Mr. Prasad said U.S. President Barack Obama had made similar remarks in the past. “In democracy, people can get rid of their pain by casting their vote. In a speech at Ohio, U.S. President Obama had said take your revenge by voting.”
“The order of Election Commission does not say that Amit Shah has talked about violence. It says Azam Khan has been delivering provocative speeches due to UP Government’s inaction,” he said, adding BJP was anguished by the EC move with regard to Mr. Shah.
Mr. Prasad said, “Azam Khan has been making instigating and derogatory speeches despite EC’s notice and the Commission is anguished over his conduct.”
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