The fifth phase of the eight-phase Bengal elections got over on Saturday (Representational)
The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday imposed a 24-hour campaign ban on BJP leader Sayantan Basu and Sujata Mondal of the Trinamool Congress for their controversial remarks during the ongoing assembly polls in West Bengal.
The bar on campaigning by the leaders will be in force from 7 PM on April 18 to 7 PM on April 19.
In an order, the poll panel said it had carefully considered Ms Mondal's reply to its notice which does not justify the relevant portions of her statement "denigrating the Scheduled Caste community in West Bengal".
"Now, therefore, the Commission hereby sternly warns Sujata Mondal and advises her to desist from using such statement while making public utterances during the period when the Model Code of Conduct is in force," according to the order.
Sayantan Basu was issued a notice for his remarks that "if you kill one, we will kill four of you..."
The order on Mr Basu said the Commission "sternly warns and condemns Sayantan Basu and strongly advised him to desist from using such statement while making public utterances during the period when the Model Code of Conduct is in force."
Besides warning the leaders against making such statements, the poll panel imposed a ban on campaigning by them.
The fifth phase of the eight-phase Bengal elections got over on Saturday and votes will be counted on May 2.