Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan
Azam Khan, a senior minister of Uttar Pradesh, today came close to an apology for controversial comments during his campaign, but hit out at the Election Commission once again for banning his rallies in UP. "The Election Commission is not above law," he said.
The Samajwadi Party leader accused the Election Commission of being partial to Amit Shah, a close aide of Narendra Modi, who was spared a similar ban after he apologized to the Election Commission.
"I replied to them (Election Commission) but they did not even wait for it or see it and punished me. They wrote 'reply is awaited' when it was in their office. Election Commission is not above the court of law. In a democracy, to make us silent and punish us like this is absolutely wrong. It shows the country that the EC is turning into a CBI," Mr Khan said.
Mr Khan was banned from campaigning in UP earlier this month for saying at rallies that the Kargil war of 1999 was won by Muslim soldiers.
"I did not say anything about the Kargil. I just read out the names. If I had made a mistake there, I apologise. I have not divided on the basis of religion. Isn't there a Sikh regiment? These divisions should have gone with the British, maybe they can go now, they can improve now," he said.
The Samajwadi Party leader said he had been "persecuted" for championing the cause of a community that is numerically weaker.
"My secular credentials are beyond doubt. And by secular credentials, I imply my respect and concern for the rights and sentiments of all religions," he insisted.