EC warns Beni Prasad against passing remarks on Modi

New Delhi, May 1: The Election Commission Thursday warned Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma that he would be restricted from campaigning if he makes any more insulting remarks against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Verma, at an election meeting in Kanpur April 20, had alleged that Modi was an absconder who ran away after committing a serious crime at the age of 20 years.

Verma was served notice by the poll panel for his comment.

The commission Thursday called the comment "highly insulting", and said it was not satisfied with Verma's clarification.

The poll panel also said that similar violations of the model code of conduct by the Congress leader were also reported April 16, and another report came from Lucknow April 19.

It said any more violations of the code with slander against the Bharatiya Janata Party leader would lead to imposition of restriction on Verma from holding public meetings, or more.

"The commission, without prejudice to any other order/notice issued or to be issued in the matter relating to the code violation by him, hereby condemns the impugned statements made by Beni Prasad Verma, as aforesaid and censures him for the above said misconduct...."

"(The commission) further records that in cases of any violation by him, hereafter, the commission shall take strict view against him, which may include, but not restricted to, denial of permission to carry out any campaign-related activity by him," the commission said in its letter to Verma.

IANS