Material related to campaigning was seized from the BJP's local office in Varanasi.
The BJP today angrily reacted to a raid on its regional office in Varanasi by the Election Commission, in which campaign material was seized.
"BJP's office in Varanasi raided and only small amount of campaign material found. Why was only one Party singled out for such a raid? (sic)," tweeted BJP leader
Arun Jaitley.
"At the time when elections are going on, administration has to be free from political pressures," BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said.
Soon after these retorts, the Election Commission clarified that it has decided to close the case as it found that the seized material was not being used for campaigning. (
Elections: Full coverage)
"The materials were kept there, and not meant for distribution. It will be released," special observer for Varanasi Praveen Kumar clarified in the evening.
"2,074 t-shirts, 5000 pamphlets, and a few badges were found," said Varanasi Returning Officer Pranjal Yadav. (
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The BJP's local office in Varanasi was raided by a joint team of Election Commission officials and the police during the day. The office was raided following a tip-off.
The raid comes days after a showdown between the party and the Commission over denial of permission for prime ministerial candidate
Narendra Modi's rally in the city. (
Modi Rally Permission Was Given Then Withdrawn: Arun Jaitley to NDTV)
The last day of campaigning ended yesterday. Voting in the last phase of the polls will take place tomorrow. Votes will be counted on May 16.