BJP questions EC's action in CD case, Rajnath to offer arrest

Lucknow, Apr 7 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party, which had been on the defensive following release of controversial CD and had to face FIR against its president Rajnath Singh and leader of opposition in UP Assembly Lalji Tandon, today toughened its stand questioning the 'lopsided' approach of the Election Commissiion.

The party said it was unfazed by the FIR against the leaders and announced Mr Rajnath Singh and Mr Tandon would offer their arrest in protest on April 9 in the state capital.

The BJP leadership would not take it lying down and the decision to offer arrest by its national president, named in the FIR, is a manifestation of its anguish over the entire series of events in CD matter, the party said.

''The EC has shown its dual character issuing notice against Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for violating election code of conduct, while it lodged FIR against the BJP leaders on the release of CD that has already been disowned by the party,'' Mr Tandon told reporters here. Mulayam was issued notice for violation of election code of conduct during his poll campaign in Lalitpur on March 30 last.

The senior BJP leader also demanded action against the news channel, which according to him, had telecast the contents of the CD for three days causing sensation among the people. ''If EC has taken cognisance of the telecast on the news channel, why should it not take action against the latter,'' he asked.

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