EC expresses displeasure over Beni's remarks against Modi

New Delhi, Apr 16: The Election Commission today conveyed its "displeasure" to Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma for his "biggest goon" remarks against

and warned him against making such statements in future.

The order of the Commission came after the senior Congress leader responded to the poll body's show cause notice issued to him last week. "The Commission has considered the aforesaid reply carefully and has again seen the video recording of his impugned speech and is convinced that he has made a provocative speech using intemperate/abusive language, and thus violated the Model Code of Conduct.

An FIR has already been registered against Verma for calling Modi 'goonda'

"Now...the Commission conveys its displeasure over the statement made by him during the election meeting held at Balrampur, for the said misconduct and warns him not to repeat in future," the EC order said.

An FIR has already been registered against Verma in Balrampur for calling BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi the "biggest goonda" of RSS and party's President Rajnath Singh his "slave". Verma had on April 1 stoked a controversy by dubbing Modi as the "biggest goonda" (goon) of RSS.

"Modi could not have become prime ministerial candidate without the nod of Rajnath Singh. This proves that Rajnath Singh is not the president of the party but Modi's slave (ghulam)," Verma had said.

PTI