In an unprecedented move, the Election Commission on February 26 ordered a FIR against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister led Samajwadi Party (SP) and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Moradabad and Agra for violating the EC norms ahead of UP elections.
According to several media reports, following a sting operation carried out by a news channel, the EC condemned the party workers for spending in excess for their electoral campaigns and also speaking openly about distributing money for the same to woo voters. EC has also ordered a FIR against Peace party candidates. Moradabad BSP candidate Ateeq Ahmed Siafi has, however, alleged political conspiracy.
Meanwhile, an FIR had been lodged against SP’s Agra candidate, Atul Garg for allegedly accepting to bribe voters and indulging into electoral malpractices. A sting operation allegedly revealed that Atul had infact accepted of bribing voters so that they vote for him. Also, the video has also been sent to the forensic team to identify the authenticity.
However, Atul has claimed that the video was tampered with and that the words were taken out of context adding that the forensic reports will reveal the truth. In the video, Atul Garg is seen accepting that he was willing to spend any amount of money to win the upcoming election and that he had also bribed voters. Another peace party candidate from Agra, Rakesh Valmiki, was also seen accepting to bribe people for votes.
The Election Commission has also taken cognisance of the recent statements made by the political parties relating to caste and religion and have urged them to not mix religion with electoral campaigns.
