IndiaPost.com - Anti-Muslim CD haunts BJP; FIR against Rajnath, Tandon

LUCKNOW: The BJP's controversial CD came to haunt the party as FIRs were filed against party chief Rajnath Singh and others on the orders of the Election Commission for circulating "inflammatory campaign material" against Muslims ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

Following demands that the party be derecognized, the Commission also issued a notice to the BJP asking why action should not be taken against it under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968 for releasing the CD that contained rude remarks against Muslims and references to the Babri mosque and Godhra train burning.

The FIR was filed at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow against BJP office-bearers and workers under different sections of IPC and the Representation of the People Act after the Commission directed that action should be taken against Rajnath Singh, Lalji Tandon and others. Citing the model code of conduct, the Commission said it has been brought to its notice that leaders and workers of the BJP released, displayed and distributed the CD containing "inflammatory campaign material derogatory to the sentiments of certain community".

The CD could have the effect of "aggravating existing differences or creating mutual hatred or causing tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic" and contained "an appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes".

The Congress reacted by asking the Commission to derecognize the BJP and prevent it from contesting the polls. Caught on the back foot, the BJP claimed the CD was never publicly released after objections from the poll panel. It said it would respond to the Commission in an appropriate manner.

The preparation and release of the CD violated various provisions of law, including sections of the IPC and the Representation of the People Act, the Commission said. Besides Singh and senior BJP leader Tandon, the poll panel directed that FIRs should be filed against all those responsible for producing the CD, including those who acted in it and wrote its script and those involved in its release, distribution and display.

The Commission held that the actions of the BJP leaders and members amounted to a violation of the model code of conduct for polls.