BJP accuses Election Commission of double standards

Varanasi/ Ranchi/Patna, Apr 8 (ANI): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley alleged that the Election Commission practises double standards.

"We expect the Election Commission not to practice double standards. The advice which the Election Commission gave to BJP on Varun Gandhi should be given to RJD and the UPA on Lalu Prasad," said Jaitley in Varanasi.

He was reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's statement that he would have 'crushed' Varun under a road roller for his anti-Muslim speeches, had he been the Home Minister.

Meanwhile in Ranchi, Sushma Swaraj, another senior BJP leader lashed out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for practising pseudo secularism.

Swaraj hit out at her by saying that on one hand she projected Mukhtar Ansari, a prime accused in a murder case as her party candidate from Varanasi while on the other she invoked National Security Act (NSA) on Varun.

"Once the NSA is lifted, only then Varun can participate in election campaigns. We don't accept the Election Commission's advice that he should not contest elections. The Election Commission never gives such an advice to Atiq Ahmed, Mukhtar Ansari, Shahbuddin, Taslamuddin. On one hand Mayawati projects Mukhtar Ansari as a BSP candidate while on the other she has invoked NSA on Varun. This is an example of pseudo secularism," said Sushma Swaraj.

On Tuesday, Lalu Prasad sought to clarify his controversial statement made against Varun, saying it was taken out of context.

"What I meant was crushing him under the roller of law had I been the Home Minister," Prasad said.

Earlier, the Kishanganj District administration filed its complaint against Prasad under the People's Representation Act. (ANI)