EC's ban order taken under pressure: Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati claimed that Election Commission's decision banning her from campaigning was taken under pressure from the BJP government. She stated that EC, in its show-cause notice did not accuse her of delivering an inciting speech in Saharanpur rally.

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati said that Election Commission of India decision banning her from election campaigning was taken under pressure.

Terming the ban a "sudden unprecedented order based on wrong facts", she asserted that the poor and deprived sections of the society will not forget it as she was being deprived of her right to appeal to uproot the BJP from power.

She said, "EC said that on April 7 in Saharanpur, we broke the code of conduct in our speech. They also said that they watched our speech and I gave an inflammatory speech that also encourages the mutual differences. They also said that we should not have delivered such speeches where votes become one-sided." Mayawati said.

"EC's show-cause notice didn't allege that we delivered an inciting speech, it had only one allegation that we were asking for votes on name of one particular community," she added.

The EC on Monday imposed a nation-wide ban on Mayawati, among other leaders, for their "provocative" communal remarks, which it said had the "propensity to polarise the elections."

The action follows her speech in Deoband last week where she appealed to Muslim voters to not vote for Congress to avoid division in the anti-BJP votes.

"The intention behind this order is clear that as BSP chief I am not able to make an appeal to the people to uproot the BJP from power. The EC knows that campaigning for the second phase ends Tuesday evening and the Agra joint rally was scheduled. Now, I will not be able to make an appeal to the voters of Agra, Mathura and Fatehpur.

The BSP chief said that she had complete faith in her followers and supporters who would understand the intention behind the order and will cast their votes fearlessly in favour of the alliance.

Mayawati also alleged that Election Commission has "closed its eyes and ears" on speeches by BJP president Amit Shah Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other saffron party leaders.