SP candidate Narendra Bhati booked for violating model code of conduct

According to police, the SP leader, while addressing rallies at Maicha village in Greater Noida and Sarfabad in Noida, was found trying to “influence the voters” in violation of the model code of conduct.
Police said Bhati has been caught on camera urging his supporters to not care about the Election Commission or police.

According to police, Bhati stated that SP supporters had made UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s rally at Sikandrabad a success without caring about the model code of conduct.

“For the upcoming Mulayam Singh rally, don’t worry about FIRs being lodged for violation of model code of conduct… we have our government in Uttar Pradesh. I will get all FIRs dropped,” he is alleged to have said.

Police said Bhati also made inflammatory remarks about migrants while speaking in a Gujjar-dominated village. “We didn’t allow any migrants to cast votes till 1984. They have already snatched our jobs. If you will not wake up now, they will rule over you by becoming MLAs and MPs,” he is alleged to have said.

Police said a similar speech was made by Bhati in Sarfabad village and added that separate video recordings of the two speeches have been procured and analysed by a video-monitoring team.

“The content of both videos is similar and we found that Bhati was attempting to influence voters, in violation of the model code of conduct. Two separate FIRs have been lodged under Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code (undue influence at elections) and Section 123(2) of The Representation of The People Act, 1951. A report in the matter has been submitted to the EC,” SSP Preetinder Singh said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav refused to initiate any action against Bhati over his alleged remarks.

“I have not heard the remarks. I think there is no harm in motivating the workers to enure a good turnout. During booth level preparation we have to say such things,” Akhilesh said in response to a query.