Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has been served a notice by the Election Commission (EC) for urging Muslim voters not to split their vote during a rally in Katihar, Bihar. The EC has sought Sidhu’s response within 24 hours.
Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu seeking an explanation within 24 hours for his remarks ‘urging Muslims to not split votes,’ made during a rally on 16 April in Katihar, Bihar. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/n2CT5VR3VO
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019
Sidhu, while campaigning for Congress candidate Tariq Anwar in Katihar, Bihar, tried to polarise the Muslim voters in the area by openly asking them not to split their vote. Making a veiled reference to the BJP Sidhu had said that attempts were being made to split the Muslim votes by bringing in people like Asaduddin Owaisi. Speaking in cricket jargon Sidhu urged the Muslim voters to score a sixer by voting in solidarity and thus throw PM Modi out of the boundary.
An FIR also has been filed against Sidhu for his comments made in the election rally. District authorities of Katihar filed an FIR under sections 123 (3) and 125 of the of the Representation of the People Act and section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
The former BJP leader is often seen crossing the line in attacking PM Modi and the BJP. Blinded by his hatred for PM Modi, Sidhu had recently made a racist remark against Nepalis. In an attempt to run down PM Modi’s ‘Mai bhi Chowkidar’ campaign, Sidhu had posted a tweet in which he urged people to elect a Prime Minister this time, saying that honest chowkidars can be imported from Nepal.
