Denied public meet at Varanasi, Narendra Modi questions EC's neutrality
Ahmedabad: Escalating his attack on the Election Commission, Narendra Modi on Thursday questioned the poll body's neutrality over denial of permission for a public meeting at a venue of his choice in Varanasi even as appealed to party workers to maintain peace while protesting the move.
Seeking to strike an emotional chord, the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate also offered "profound apologies" to river Ganga for not being able to perform 'arti'. District authorities in Varanasi have already given permission for Ganga Pooja.
"It is unfortunate that EC is not concerned about the institution's neutrality. That is why our 'karyakartas' (workers) have to embark on a Satyagraha," Modi said on Twitter.
It is unfortunate that EC is not concerned about the institution's neutrality & that is why our Karyakartas have to embark on a Satyagraha.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2014He also made an appeal to his party workers to maintain peace while protesting EC's refusal to allow public meets.
"I appeal to my Karyakarta sisters and brothers to maintain peace & ensure that people do not face any difficulty," the BJP strongman said.
I appeal to my Karyakarta sisters & brothers to maintain peace & ensure that people do not face any difficulty.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2014Modi also sought apologies from Ma Ganga (Ganges river) and indirectly hit out at EC stating that mother's love is above politics.
"My profound apologies to Ganga Maa for not being able to perform aarti today. Wish these people know that a mother's love is above politics," Modi tweeted.
My profound apologies to Ganga Maa for not being able to perform Aarti today. Wish these people know that a Mother's love is above politics.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2014The BJP has on Wednesday decided to sit on 'dharna' in front of Varanasi Sub Divisional Magistrate's office against EC's decision to deny permit for three campaign programmes of Modi from Varanasi, where he is contesting against AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress' Ajay Rai.
BJP had earlier sought permission to hold a public rally at crowded Veeniya Bagh area, but the Returning Officer Pranjal Yadav denied it citing security reasons.
However, the Returning officer had suggested an alternative spot to hold their public rally but the BJP did not accept.
Seeking removal of Varanasi Returning Officer, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley had yesterday said that he along with his senior party leaders including UP’s election in-charge of the party, Amit Shah will hold a protest outside Banaras Hindu University as well as in front of the EC in Delhi.
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev also tweeted in support of Modi, saying Rahul Gandhi was allowed to enter polling booths in Amethi and Modi is not even given timely permissions to hold rallies in Varanasi
EC's Contrast: RahulJi was allowed to enter polling booths in Amethi & ModiJi is not even given timely permissions to do rallies in Varanasi
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) May 8, 2014MSY showing full loyalty to the Gandhi family by using district administration of Varanasi to stop NaMo rallies #VaranasiBlock
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) May 8, 2014Sad to see Election Commission, playing into Congress' hands
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) May 8, 2014All parties, dons & now the administration of Varanasi is also fighting agnst NaMo in Varanasi. Its a Mahabharat of Dhrama agnst Adharma !
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) May 8, 2014