Delhi Polls: Former CEC Urges EC to File FIR Against Thakur, Verma

Earlier, the EC had ordered their removal from BJP’s star campaigner list with immediate effect till further notice.

BJP leaders Anurag Thakur (left) and Parvesh Verma (right).

(Photo: The Quint)

Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi on Thursday, 30 January, congratulated the EC for prompt and effective action against MoS Finance Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Verma for their provocative statements in the run-up to the Delhi elections.

“Hope you have filed an FIR too under 153 IPC. This is a fit case,” he added. Section 153 addresses “wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot.”

Thakur and Verma were banned from campaigning for 72 hours and 96 hours respectively for Delhi elections following their controversial remarks.

While Thakur came under fire over his “desh ke gaddaron ko...” chant during a BJP rally in the national capital, Verma had stoked controversy by saying that the anti-CAA protesters “will enter people’s homes and rape and kill women.” Verma’s remarks had received heavy backlash from the Opposition and anti-CAA protesters.

The EC, on Wednesday had ordered the removal of Thakur and Verma from its list of star campaigners for the upcoming Assembly elections. The EC, in its notice, said that the two shall be removed from the list of star campaigners with immediate effect till further notice.

When The Quint had reached out to the EC, it said that Anurag Thakur cannot campaign as a star campaigner and organise big rallies, but he can campaign door to door for BJP.

“The Election Commission has ordered the removal of Sh. Anurag Thakur and Sh. Parvesh Sahib Singh from the list of star campaigners of Bhartiya Janta Party for the general elections to the Legislative Assembly of the NCT of Delhi with immediate effect and until further orders,” the EC notification on Wednesday said.

Election Commission notification

On Wednesday, 29 January, Verma had also called Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a ‘terrorist.’ Addressing a rally in Delhi on Wednesday, he said, "In Delhi, many 'natwarlals' and terrorists like Kejriwal are hiding. I don't understand if we should fight with terrorists in Kashmir or with terrorist Kejriwal in Delhi."