In Pics: BJP protests against denial of permission for Modi's rallies in Varanasi

Varanasi: The BJP today mounted an all-out attack on the Election Commission over refusal of permission for holding a rally to Narendra Modi who questioned its neutrality while protests were held here and in Delhi demanding removal of the Returning Officer. Top BJP leaders Arun Jaitley, Amit Shah and Ananth Kumar sat on a dharna outside the Banaras Hindu University protesting against the refusal and the alleged partisan approach of the returning officer Pranjal Yadav. In Delhi, workers sought to protest outside the Election Commission but the Delhi Police stopped them a short distance away while imposing prohibitory orders in the area. The assault on Election Commission was led by Modi, a candidate in Varanasi, who was denied permission to address a meeting in Beniabagh, a communally sensitive area chosen by the BJP.“It is unfortunate that EC is not concerned about the institution's neutrality. That is why our ‘karyakartas' (workers) have to embark on a Satyagraha,” he said on Twitter. Jaitley, who has been campaigning in Varanasi for the last few days, also hit out at the Commission, saying he cannot conceal his disappointment with the Election Commission.“Men in constitutional offices need to be bolder. Timid men can dwarf high offices,” he said.Jaitley alleged that by condoning the Returning Officer's stand on ‘No-Modi rally' in Varanasi city the Commission has used the security card to prevent the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate's right to campaign in his constituency. “If you can't ensure security, don't hold the polls in the country. But if you do hold the polls please provide a level playing field,” the BJP leader, who is camping in Varanasi, said.He said the EC cannot deny the candidate the right to campaign. “Rahul Gandhi can have a road show in Varanasi but Narendra Modi cannot have a rally. The security card is selectively used,” he said.As thousands of BJP supporters thronged the Lanka gate area of BHU to lodge their protest against the district poll authorities, BJP leader Amit Shah and others addressed them.“It is not a symbolic protest, but a serious protest. The fundamental right of a candidate to campaign has been denied by the authorities, which is not at all acceptable,” Shah told PTI.He said the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate has been rejected permission to campaign and it reflects the administration's partisan approach towards the BJP.Taking on the poll authorities for refusing permission on the pretext of security, he said, “If there is any specific intelligence input about security aspect then the Administration should immediately make the report public.”The party also demanded immediate removal of Returning Officer. “This is not about an individual, but it is a larger issue. The EC is not acting neutral,” he said.Another BJP leader Ananth Kumar, who is also sitting in a dharna said BJP condemns the “biased” approach of administration towards BJP and termed it as “unfortunate for democratic process”.“We will continue to protest against EC's partisan approach. BJP has not been allowed to campaign,” he alleged.BJP leaders, who were protesting at Lanka gate outside the BHU, ended the stir with a plea to the Election Commission to immediately transfer out the District Returning officer due to his “biased” attitude against the party. Thousands of protesters who had gathered here since morning ended their protest after top BJP leaders including Arun Jaitley, Amit Shah and Ananth Kumar addressed them. The BJP leaders claimed that it was the fundamental right of every candidate to campaign in his constituency and by denying Narendra Modi, who is contesting from Varanasi, to hold a rally at a place of his choice the poll authorities have shown a “biased” and “prejudiced” attitude against the BJP which was not acceptable to them. Speaking to reporters after the dharna, Jaitley said, “In Kashmir, rallies are being allowed, in Maoist areas rallies are being allowed, but not here?”Attacking the UP government, Shah said, “Varanasi administration is working on the directions of state government.”Later, the BJP supporters and leaders went to receive Modi, who will be here at 4 PM to address a rally at Jagatpur Degree College in Rohaniya, on the outskirts of Varanasi. Modi will enter Varanasi after that and was to address a rally at Veenia Bagh Park in the heart of the temple town for which the poll authorities denied him permission. Modi will not be addressing partymen and will only visit the party's office in Varanasi in his motorcade and party workers are expected to put up a major roadshow by lining up along his cavalcade route.