ECI bars KCR from campaigning for 48 hrs

The Election Commission (ECI) on Wednesday barred Bharat Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrashekar Rao and former Telangana CM and BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao from campaigning for 48 hours for his “objectionable” remarks against the Congress.

The EC in its order said that , the Commission has found that K. Chandrashekar Rao, President, BRS has not only violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Commission’s instructions/advisory while making the objectionable and derogatory utterances on 5th April, 2024 at Sircilla but he has also been violating the MCC provisions during past elections.

The Commission further stated that K. Chandrashekar Rao, President of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), a recognised political party in the State of Telangana and the Star Campaigner of the party u/s 77 (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 expected to follow the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Commission’s instructions in letter and spirit setting an example for the political leaders.

In view of the above, the Commission, without prejudice to any Order/Notice issued or to be issued in the matter in future relating to MCC violations to Sh. K. Chandrashekar Rao, President, BRS hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statement made by him during his press meet in Sircilla on 5th April, 2024 and reprimands Sh. K. Chandrasekar Rao for the above said misconduct.

Accordingly, the Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars Sh. K. Chandrashekar Rao, President, BRS from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc. in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 8:00 PM on 1st May, 2024, ECI said.

After Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, Rao is the second politician to be banned from campaigning for 48 hours in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

On April 6, Senior Congress Leader of Telanagana S Niranjan had complained to the commission that Rao made derogatory and objectionable remarks against the Congress party and its leaders at his Sircilla press Conference.