BJP candidate Sanjeev Balyan alleges 'fake voting' by burqa-clad women in Muzaffarnagar

BJP candidate from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, Sanjeev Balyan, on Thursday sparked a controversy with his allegations that fake votes were being cast by women clad in burqas in the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha election that started at 7 AM.

Sanjeev Balyan (File Photo - PTI)

Muzaffarnagar: BJP candidate from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, Sanjeev Balyan, on Thursday sparked a controversy with his allegations that fake votes were being cast by women clad in burqas in the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha election that started at 7 AM. Balyan is locked in an intense poll battle against Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh who is the candidate of the SP-BSP-RLD's grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. “Faces of women in burkhas are not being checked and I allege that fake voting is being done. If not looked into, I will demand a repoll," Balyan told ANI. It may be noted that on Tuesday the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) had sought a report from Muzaffarnagar district magistrate into a complaint against Balyan for allegedly “threatening voters” at a public meeting. The complaint against Balyan was lodged by RLD, which has also attached a video of the BJP leader’s speech. In the controversial speech, the BJP leader can be heard saying that he will settle scores with alleged “criminals” campaigning against him. Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha constituency comprises of five assembly segments namely, Budhana, Charthawal, Muzaffarnagar, Khatauli and Sardhana.