Booked in UP for Flouting COVID Norms, Bhupesh Baghel Urges EC To Be ‘Impartial’

UP police have registered an FIR against Bhupesh Baghel for allegedly flouting COVID norms while campaigning in UP.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday, 17 January, lashed out at the Election Commission for an FIR against him in Uttar Pradesh over alleged flouting of COVID-19 regulations, following his door-to-door campaigning for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

“A BJP minister have been doing door-to-door campaigning for the last five days. Why has no action been taken against him? Why no action against the BJP? It’s okay that action was taken against me, but why is there no action against the BJP doing the same?”

Bhupesh Baghel

An FIR has been registered in Noida's Sector 113 against Bhupesh Baghel, and others for allegedly flouting COVID norms on Sunday, 16 January, Noida police said. The charges are that the Chhattisgarh chief minister violated Section 144 and certain sections of the Epidemic Act.

The District Election Officer complained to the Assistant DCP (Noida Police), who cited the EC order that prevented five or more people from congregating at a venue for campaigning purposes.

Baghel also tweeted a video statement, saying that the EC should give a demo along with media and security personnel.

माननीय चुनाव आयोग को मीडिया और सुरक्षाकर्मियों को साथ लेकर एक DOOR TO DOOR का DEMO देना चाहिए. pic.twitter.com/kQz4c1knce

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) January 17, 2022

Baghel has been tasked with the role of a senior Congress observer for UP where the first phase of seven-phase polling will be held starting 10 February, and the results will be declared on 10 March this year.

“The EC should keep its role impartial. When there is no impartiality even in the beginning, what should we expect by the end of elections? We are the people of a political organisation and if we won’t campaign what would we do?” Baghel asked.

Baghel further said that he was being accompanied by 15-20 security personnel and policemen from the UP during his door-to-door campaigning.

"At least 30-40 journalists were also present, then why the FIR was registered only against me? What can I do when people come to meet me? The EC should come and give a demo on how election campaign is to be conducted," Baghel said.