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BJP takes on EC after Modi denied permission for Varanasi rallies
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 7
The BJP today accused the Election Commission of denying permission to Narendra Modi to hold rallies in Varanasi at the behest of the ruling Samjawadi Party.

The party has declared an all-out war against the Election Commission and has decided to protest in Varanasi and outside the EC office in Delhi. The BJP accused the EC for being a mute spectator to the highly partisan role of the Returning Officer (District Magistrate Pranjal Yadav) in denying permissions to Modi for addressing a public meeting in the crowded Beniya Bagh area, where the RO cited security concerns in declining permission.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley shot off three letters to the EC saying that free and fair elections in Varanasi were not possible if Yadav was allowed to continue as the Returning Officer and demanded his removal.

To substantiate their claim of partisan attitude of the local administration, BJP leaders said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had been granted permission for a roadshow in Varanasi on May 10. Jaitley accused the RO of "being economical with the issue", saying "we have not received any clearance". Jaitley said he was making "unbelievable" excuses to "deny" security approval for the rally which was a right of any candidate.

Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said the Varanasi administration was obeying an "unwritten order."

Rahul to campaign in Varanasi

• Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Modi’s LS constituency Varanasi on May 9 or 10
• The move comes after Modi campaigned in Rahul’s LS segment Amethi and attacked his father and family there