NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: Narendra Modi’s close aide Amit Shah’s comment that Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh was a “base of terrorists” triggered demands by BJP’s rivals for his arrest and a ban by the Election Commission on his entry into the northern state for campaigning.
As the controversial comment made yesterday sparked condemnation by non-BJP parties, Modi and Shah were also accused of carrying out a “communal campaign”.
“Such a statement violating mode code of conduct could vitiate law and order in Azamgarh and eastern UP. Gujarat can also be termed as a base of communalism and crime. I demand EC again ban Shah in Uttar Pradesh”, BSP chief Mayawati told reporters in Lucknow. Campaigning for the ninth and final phase of Lok Sabha polls ends on May 10.
The former UP Chief Minister also said that if some persons of Azamgarh district have done anything wrong, be it Hindu or Muslim, it does not mean that all the people are terrorists.
Meem Afzal, a Congress leader, demanded immediate arrest of Shah like Imran Masood, the Congress candidate from Saharanpur.
He wanted the EC to put a countrywide ban on campaigning by the BJP leader accusing him of spreading communal tension.
“The EC should not only order filing of an FIR against Shah, but also order his immediate arrest,” Afzal said.
During the course of the ongoing Lok Sabha campaign, Shah has already been banned once by the EC from electioneering for alleged hate remark last month before it was lifted by the poll body.
“Modi/Amit Shah have come back to communal campaign from development. They have forgotten involvement of Sanghi activists in Modasa bomb blast,” Congress leader Digvijay Singh said on micro-blogging site Twitter.
He said, “Modasa is in Gujarat. Azamgarh has been a symbol of Hindu-Muslim amity. It didn’t have any riots in (19)47 and (19)92 post Babri Masjid demolition. I strongly condemn Amit Shah’s statement about Azamgarh. Election Commission must take action.”
Former Samajwadi Party leader Kamal Faruqui condemned the comment of Shah for associating terrorism with a place or community.
“It is highly condemnable to defame a place or community for terrorism. Amit Shah can’t keep a control on his tongue.
He has already faced EC ire. Elections will be over in next 10-12 days but hatred is being developed in people’s heart.
“We condemn statements by any party or person to associate terrorism with a place or community,” he said.
Shah, who is BJP’s in-charge for UP, had yesterday said that Azamgarh is a base of terrorists as there is no fear of the state government, which is advocating their release. –PTI
