EC removes Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma as BJP’s star campaigner

New Delhi, Jan 29 (HS): The Union Minister Anurag Thakur and MP Parvesh Verma here on Wednesday have been removed, by the Election Commission (EC) as star campaigner, for violating the model code of conduct for Delhi Assembly elections going to happen on February 8.

EC’s decision came after Anurag Thakur was issued a showcause notice on Tuesday after he chanted “desh ke gaddaro ko” at a party rally in New Delhi, meanwhile, Verma was issued  similar notice for his alleged comments that the protesters at Shaheen Bagh “can enter homes and rape our sisters and daughters.”

The EC had cited violation of provisions under the ‘Model Code of Conduct’ by Thakur as his statements have the “potential of disturbing communal harmony and aggravating the existing difference between social and religious communities”, and had given him time till 12 noon on January 30 to file his reply.

The EC notice reads, “Election Commission has received a report from Chief Electoral Office, NCT of Delhi vide his letter dated 28th January 2020 that you have made the following statements after chanting ‘Desh ke gaddaro ko’ and followed by response of the crowd ‘Goli maro saalo ko’ many times, while addressing a public meeting on 27th January 2020……you also made certain other objectionable statement in the meeting.”

Earlier this week on Monday, Thakur had told The Indian Express that he had merely asked people what should be done with traitors of this country.