EC removed my name from 'star' list, not from campaign: Parvesh Verma

BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma's name has been removed from the list of star campaigners for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the legislative assembly elections in Delhi with immediate effect by Election Commission of India. While speaking to ETV Bharat, Verma said, "EC has just removed my name from the 'star' list, not from the campaign. They (EC) earlier used to think I was a 'star', now they don't."

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Wednesday ordered the removal of Union Minister Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma from the list of star campaigners for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the legislative assembly elections in Delhi with immediate effect.

Parvesh Verma had in a controversial statement said, "Lakhs of people gather there (Shaheen Bagh). People of Delhi will have to think and make a decision. They will enter your houses, rape your sisters and daughters, kill them. There is time today, Modi Ji and Amit Shah won't come to save you tomorrow..."

While speaking to ETV Bharat, Verma said, "I never knew that I was a 'star' campaigner until today morning. EC has directed to remove my name from the list of 'star campaigners', not from the campaign"

He further said, "I'm still campaigning and the campaigns are scheduled as before."

Targetting AAP for misleading people during the election campaign, he said, "They say they have made 12 colleges in the last 5 years, I challenge Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia to name the colleges they (AAP) have made. Why no pamphlets, pictures of the colleges have been shared with the people."

"As they say Rs 1400 crore has been spent by them, where have they spent, the Delhi people don't know, " he added.

On asking why BJP is targetting Shaheen Bagh protest in every rally, Verma said, " If Slogans like' Pakistan Zindabad' are raised in the protest, don't you think we should be worried about it? "

He added, "If they (Protestors) are talking nuisance and making provocative remarks, and if I do not speak about it, it is wrong."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi said in a report to the ECI that Anurag Thakur raised the slogan 'Desh Ke Gaddaro Ko, Goli Maaro Saalo Ko' (shoot the traitors) several times while addressing a public meeting here in Rithala on January 27 is provocative. The Election Commission had issued a show-cause notice to Thakur and has sought a reply by 12 pm on January 30.

The statements of both the BJP leaders evoked sharp reactions from several quarters.

The voting for the Delhi Assembly is scheduled to take place on February 8. The counting will begin on February 11.