Kolkata: The Election Commission on Sunday imposed a 24-hour campaign ban on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sayantan Basu and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sujata Mondal from campaigning in West Bengal for their controversial remarks made during the ongoing assembly polls.
The ban imposed by the poll body, which strongly advised the two leaders to desist from using such statements while making public utterances when the Model Code of Conduct is in force, will come into effect from 7 p.m. today.
The Election Commission, which had issued a showcause notice to Basu for his “inflammatory statement” during a public rally in the state, after verifying the transcript said the BJP leader’s statement was found to be in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Basu had allegedly said: “Don't play the game too much, we will play the game of Sitalkuchi. If you kill one, we will kill four of you. Sitalkuchi has witnessed it.”
The poll body, which had earlier asked the TMC leader to explain her comment, in its order said the Mondal’s reply does not justify the relevant portions of her statement “denigrating the Scheduled Caste community in West Bengal”.
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Meanwhile, the election campaign for the sixth phase in 43 assembly constituencies spread over four districts of the state on April 22 has reached a peak.
Over 78 percent voter turnout was recorded in West Bengal during the fifth phase of the assembly polls on Saturday.
West Bengal is voting in eight phases this time. The results will be declared on May 2.