EC Reprimands BSP Candidate for Lucknow Seat

In a case of making derogatory remarks against rival SP candidate Nafisa Ali, the Election Commission has reprimanded BSP nominee in Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency Akhilesh Das Gupta, holding him guilty of violating the model code of conduct.

The Commission’s action came after it had served a notice to Gupta and sought his response.

The EC, while giving its order, said that Gupta’s explanation amounted to “admission that he had made derogatory remarks on the personal character and conduct against Nafisa Ali”. The EC said that thus he had infringed the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

It should be mentioned that at a poll rally in Lucknow on April 12, Gupta had allegedly termed Nafisa as “budhia” (old woman) with “white hair” and said that her husband was a Sikh.

“By virtue of her marriage, Nafisa’s full name should be Nafisa Sodhi and not Ali since her husband is a Sodhi…”, Gupta had allegedly said.