Election Commission issues show-cause notice to UP CM Yogi Adityanath over communal 'Ali-Bajrangbali' and 'green virus' speech

The Election Commission taking cognisance of chief minister Yogi Adityanath's communal 'Ali-Bajrangbali' and 'green virus' jibe has issued a notice. 

The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath addressing a rally in Meerut calling out the Opposition and the Congress party said that 'if they believe in Ali, we also believe in Bajrangbali' on April 9. 

Furthermore, the chief minister cited how other parties speak in favour of a 'certain group'

He said, "They want to throw a green virus to engulf the nation. West Uttar Pradesh need not come under the effect of this green virus. In East Uttar Pradesh we have alrready wiped out the virus, now in the West, we will demolish Congress'SP's BSP's RLD's 'green virus' from here..."

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In his address, Adityanath breached the Model Code of Conduct that states for attempting to appeal to 'communal feelings for securing votes'

According to Section 123 of the Act says-

"The promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community of language by a candidate or his agent or any other person with the consent of a candidate or his election agent for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate'

And any person who stands against this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years or with fine, or with both. 

The EC has instructed and given the BJP leader an opportunity to 'explain his stand' pertaining to the statement and should revert to the EC within 24 hours. 

Prior to this, Adityanath has been under the scanner of the Election Commission over his contentious 'Modi ki sena' remark, to which the Opposition questioned the EC for letting off the chief minister with a light rap for 'insulting' the Indian Army. 

Not satisfied with the remarks, the EC was learnt to have told him that be "more careful in his utterances in future", sources had said.

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