Bijnore/New Delhi, April 6
Narendra Modi’s close aide Amit Shah is in trouble for his “revenge” speech with two FIRs being lodged against him today and the outburst coming under the scrutiny of the Election Commission. The BJP has condemned the filing of FIRs in Bijnore and Muzaffarnagar districts, saying these were “not bonafide” and that it was a “calculated design” to communalise and polarise the election scenario in Uttar Pradesh.

“A case has been lodged under various sections of the IPC and the RPA by the District Magistrate regarding some objectionable part in Shah’s speech,” said Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha in Lucknow.

Shah was booked under Section 153 of the IPC (inciting people) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act (promoting enmity between different classes), he said. The second FIR was lodged against Shah at Shamli in Muzaffarnagar district for the same offence. He had been booked under Section 125 of the RPA, District Magistrate NP Singh said.

The case was registered at the Adarsh Mandi police station after officials went through the video of his speech made at Shamli. After the examination of the video, Shah’s statement was found to be objectionable and in violation of the model code of conduct, Singh said.

The FIRs followed a complaint by the Congress yesterday accusing the BJP’s UP in charge of “creating animosity between communities”.

The poll authorities in UP sent the CD of the remarks made by Shah in Muzaffarnagar, which witnessed communal violence last year, along with the report of District Election Officer to the Election Commission in Lucknow. Sources said the Chief Electoral Officer of UP took cognisance of the Shah’s statement yesterday and sought the CD along with a detailed report from the district authorities.

Shah is not a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections.

They said the statement had been sent to the Election Commission in Delhi. The EC was likely to take a call at its meeting tomorrow. — PTI