West Bengal Polls: BJP's Dilip Ghosh Gets 24-Hour Campaign Ban For 'Provocative' Speech

Election Commission has 'sternly' warned Ghosh and advised him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when the Model Code of Conduct is in force.

West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh. (File Photo/ Getty)

Kolkata: Ahead of the much-crucial phase 5 polling for West Bengal Assembly Polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday imposed a 24-hour campaign ban on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Dilip Ghosh for his "highly provocative" and 'inciteful' remarks on Cooch Behar violence that took place during the fourth phase of polling on April 10.

According to reports, the poll body has 'sternly' warned Ghosh and advised him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when the Model Code of Conduct is in force.

EC, in its order, said that Ghosh cannot attend election rallies or any campaign-related gatherings starting from 7 pm Thursday till 7 pm Friday.

Election Commission order comes in reference to the killing of four people in a firing incident by CISF personnel in the Sitalkuchi Assembly seat during the fourth phase of polls in West Bengal on Saturday. 

The Commission, earlier this week, issued a notice to Ghosh for his alleged remarks after ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) complained about the same with the poll body.

"If someone crosses his limits then you have seen what happened in Sitalkuchi. There will be Sitalkuchi in several places," Ghosh allegedly said. However, the BJP Bengal President regretted his remarks. 

The development took place days after Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was barred from ampaigning for 24 hours for her remarks against central forces and a statement that allegedly had religious overtones.

Earlier this week, EC had even barred BJP leader Rahul Sinha from campaigning for 48 hours over his "provocative" remarks on the Cooch Behar violence.