By Agencies
A day after the ban, the Election Commission (EC) reduced the period of debarment of Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning– from 48 hours to 24 hours.
This move comes after BJP announced that it will move EC against the leader’s campaigning ban on ‘legal and factual’ grounds.
In his representation to the Election Commission, Sarma had pleaded to reduce the ban on the grounds that he is himself a candidate in the constituency which is scheduled to go for polls on April 6.
The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.
Himanta Biswa Sarma denied the allegations while replying to a notice sent by the Election Commission.
On Thursday, the EC notice to Sarma quoted a transcript of the speech provided by the state election machinery.
“If Hagrama does extremism with Batha he will go to jail. This is straight talk. If Hagrama encourages Batha, he will go to jail. Already got lot of evidence. This case is being given to NIA,” according to a portion of Sarma’s speech made part of the notice.
Campaigning for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.
The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.
(With PTI, ANI inputs)
