Himanta Biswa Sarma Pleads to Revoke Ban After EC Bars Him from Campaigning for 48 Hours

The Election Commission on Friday barred Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours with immediate effect for allegedly making threatening remarks against against Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary.

“… The Commission hereby strongly condemns the impugned statements made by Himanta Biswa Sarma … “The Commission … bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows, interviews and public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from immediate effect on April 02 (Friday),” the order read.

Meanwhile, Himanta Biswa Sarma denies charges of violation and pleads with Election Commission to revoke ban against him. In a letter to the Election Commission, Sarma appealed to the organisation to dismiss the petition lodged by the Congress.

The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha. The Bodoland People’s Front is an ally of the Congress in Assam. It was previously with the BJP. On Thursday, the EC notice to Sarma quoted transcript of the speech provided by the state election machinery.

“If Hagrama does extremism with Batha he will go to jail. This is a straight talk. If Hagrama encourages Batha, he will go to jail. Already got lot of evidence. This case is being given to NIA,” according to a portion of Sarma’s speech made part of the notice.

The minister was supposed to take part in seven road shows and public rallies, including West Guwahati. He is yet to hold road show in his own constituency at Jalukbari, which is going to the polls on April 6.

(With PTI inputs)

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