This Article is From May 11, 2014

Election Commission Acting Like BJP's Election Office, Alleges Azam Khan

Azam Khan

Chaundali, UP: Azam Khan, a senior minister of Uttar Pradesh, once again hit out at the Election Commission today and accused it of favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "The Election Commission is acting like the BJP's election office," he said.

The Samajwadi Party leader, who was banned from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, also claimed that the Commission let off BJP's Uttar Pradesh in charge and key Narendra Modi aide Amit Shah lightly for this remarks calling Azamgarh a "base of terrorists". (Azamgarh Base of Terrorists': Outrage Over Modi Aide Amit Shah's Comment)

Condemning Mr Shah's remarks, he said today, "Calling Azamgarh a base of terrorists is against the law. But the Election Commission is openly acting like the BJP's election office. It let off Amit Shah lightly." (Elections 2014: Complete Coverage)

Mr Khan was banned from campaigning in UP last month for saying at rallies that the Kargil war of 1999 was won by Muslim soldiers. He countered the allegations by saying he had been "persecuted" for championing the cause of a community that is numerically weaker. (Election Commission Cannot Behave Like God, Says Azam Khan)

At a rally in Azamgarh last week, Mr Shah had said, "They have turned Azamgarh, land of the brave, into a base of terrorists as there is no fear of the government, which is advocating their release."

Reacting to his comments, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said, "The Election Commission must take note of this. He has just apologized, now again he has made such comments. Ever since he became the BJP's UP in-charge, he has been trying to divide people in the state."

Mr Shah recently had to apologise to the Election Commission after his rallies were banned in UP over alleged hate remarks he made in riot-scarred Muzaffarnagar.
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