The EC has let go of Suvendu Adhikari, a BJP candidate from West Bengal’s Nandigram, with a warning for his “mini-Pakistan” remark made at a public meeting on 29 March. He had filed a reply on 9 April.
In an order issued on Monday night, the EC warned Adhikari and said it “advises him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force”.
The poll panel had received a complaint from Kavita Krishnan of the CPI-ML Central Committee which alleged that Adhikari delivered a “hate speech” while addressing a public meeting in Nandigram on 29 March.
“Election is knocking at the door. You are not giving votes to Begum. If you vote for Begum, there will be mini-Pakistan. (Barely audible)… A Dawood Ibrahim has come up in your locality… We will note down everything. What is the government doing? What is the use of it?,” the EC notice issued to Adhikari on 8 April said, quoting his speech.
In his reply to the notice, Adhikari said that he firmly believes in a free, fair and impartial election where there is no ill-will between the candidates and no personal attack is made while criticising political opponents. He said he had no mala fide intention to criticise anyone personally or make any offensive or derogatory statement against anyone. He also promised to abide by any directive of the EC.