Amit Shah lands in trouble for ‘crackers in Pakistan’ remark

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Sunday night issued a showcause notice to BJP president Amit Shah for his remarks that if his party loses the Bihar elections, crackers will go off in Pakistan.

The EC said prima facie Mr Shah had violated the model code in force in the state. “...The Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the... statement which has the potential of disturbing harmony and aggravating the existing differences between social and religious communities, you (Mr Shah) have violated ... provisions of the Model Code of Conduct,” the notice quoted.

The poll panel reminded Mr Shah that a provision of the model code provided that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities or religious and linguistic communities.

Mr Shah had told an election rally at Raxual on Indo-Nepal border in East Champaran district on Thursday that if the BJP loses in Bihar, Diwali will be celebrated in Pakistan. He is said to have repeated the same in another rally at Bettiah, headquarters of West Champaran district on Thursday itself.