Parvesh Verma Banned From Campaigning Again for ‘Terrorist’ Remark

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament from West Delhi Parvesh Verma.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The Election Commission on Wednesday, 5 February, barred BJP MP Parvesh Verma from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, roadshows and interviews for 24 hours over his statement against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, news agency ANI reported.

The ban on Verma, second in the last one week, came into force at 6 pm on Wednesday.

The poll body in its statement said, "The (Election) Commission is of the considered view that Sh Parvesh Sahib Singh made vitriolic aspersions against Sh Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi which violate... the Model Code of Conduct..."

Banning Verma from campaigning for 24 hours, the commission said it “strongly condemns” his remarks.

What Did Verma Say

On 30 January, Verma was banned from campaigning for a period of 96 hours for hate speech. The commission had also ordered his removal from the BJP's list of star campaigners.

While addressing an election rally, Verma had said, “Lakhs of people gather there (Shaheen Bagh). People of Delhi will have to think and take a decision. They'll enter your houses, rape your sisters and daughters, kill them.”

The latest restriction on Verma means that he will not be part of the rest of BJP's campaign in Delhi as they will have to be wrapped up at 5 pm on Thursday, 72 hours ahead of the polling.

EC Notice to Sambit Patra

The poll panel also issued a show cause notice to BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra for his remarks during a television interview that attempts were being made to "down" Hindus in India.

Prima facie, the EC said, his remarks have the potential to disturb communal harmony.

Patra has been asked to respond before 5 pm on Thursday, 6 February.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)