EC bars A Raja from campaigning for 48 hours, issues notice to Himanta Biswa Sarma

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday debarred senior DMK leader A. Raja from campaigning for 48 hours in the ongoing elections over the violation of model code of conduct.

Reprimanding him for his derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his mother, the Commission also delisted Mr Raja from the list of star campaigners of the DMK.

In its order, the poll panel observed that the content of the speech made by the DMK leader was not only derogatory but also obscene and lower the dignity of Women. Earlier, AIADMK had filed a complaint against Mr Raja following which the Commission had issued notice to him.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court has mentioned to A.Raja that it cannot process his request against the barring by the election Commission and give a stay. The bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee asked him to file the petition today which would be heard later.

The Election Commission on Thursday issued notice to senior BJP leader and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly threatening a Bodoland People’s Front, BPF leader. The Poll Body has asked Mr Sarma to reply by tomorrow evening. The Congress on Tuesday had written to the Commission in this regard.