Varanasi:
The BJP today slammed the Election Commission for allowing
Rahul Gandhi's roadshow at an area in Varanasi where its prime ministerial candidate,
Narendra Modi, had been refused permission for a rally. (
Narendra Modi in Varanasi: 4 Kilometres in 3 Hours And a Show of Strength)
As the Congress vice president's motorcade negotiated the narrow roads of Varanasi in a revenge roadshow in the city from where Mr Modi is contesting his first parliamentary election, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley renewed his attack on the Election Commission. (
Modi Rally Permission Was Given Then Withdrawn: Arun Jaitley to NDTV)
"The Election Commission should take note of this reality. Rahul's roadshow is going through Beniabagh, where Mr Modi was not allowed to hold a rally. Security restrictions exist only for the BJP, not for the others? This proves we were not allowed to hold a rally only for political reasons," Mr Jaitley said, adding, "This will be a major blot on elections in India. The Prime Ministerial candidate was not allowed to campaign in his own constituency." (
Narendra Modi's Varanasi Rally Disallowed, BJP Retaliates With Roadshow for Him)
The BJP has been locked in a bitter confrontation with the Election Commission over the denial of permission to a series of events for Mr Modi on Thursday, including a rally at the congested Beniabagh area in the heart of the city. (
BJP's Allegations Are 'Deplorable', Says Election Commission)
Returning Officer
Pranjal Yadav, who is the Election Commission's representative for the Varanasi election on Monday, cited security reasons; the rally ground was too small, he said, for the size of crowds expected for the BJP's star campaigner.
In retaliation, Mr Modi, after addressing a rally just outside Varanasi, drove through the city in a show of strength, covering four kilometres in three hours.
Reacting to Mr Jaitley's barb, Congress leaders pointed out that Mr Modi had never been denied permission for a roadshow, which he eventually took out in Varanasi.