Ahead of the fifth phase of polling, the Election Commission of India on Saturday censured Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Humayun Kabir for allegedly threatening voters and rival party workers through statements based on religious lines.
In response to a statement by the leader, where he was allegedly seen threatening voters and rival parties, the poll panel reminded the TMC legislator of the model code of conduct provision, which states that no party or candidate should indulge in any activity that may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic groups.
Earlier, delivering a speech in the Kazipara area of West Bengal's Murshidabad district, Kabir reportedly made statements that the Election Commission believes sought to create a religious divide. Based on the english transcript provided by the Commission, Kabir said, "If you think that 30 percent of people reside in Murshidabad and you constitute the 70 percent... if you think as you constitute the major chunk of the population in Kamnagar, so you are entitled to demolish the mosque in Kajipara and the Muslim brethren in the rest of the area will sit idle, you are mistaken. I am warning the BJP that it won’t happen ever."
The TMC leader, however, earlier defended himself. Resonding to a show cause notice issued by the poll panel, the TMC leader replied that his comments were taken in isolation to make it seem like a threat and a violation of the model code of conduct.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too slammed the TMC legislator for his controversial comments.
“I saw on TV a TMC MLA threatening Hindus that in two hours he would drown them in the River Bhagirathi. What type of language and political culture is this?” Modi said while adding that that Hindus have been relegated in the state into second class citizens in the Mamata Banerjee led TMC’s regime.
