Four Leaders Restricted From Campaigning By EC

Election Commission on Monday barred four political leaders - Bhartiya Janta Party's UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, BJP Union minister Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan — from campaigning for a specific period of time, under fire from the Supreme Court for not acting against errant political leaders using religion and caste to mobilize votes.

While Adityanath and Khan were barred for three days (72 hours) starting Tuesday morning, Gandhi and Mayawati are not allowed to campaign for two days (48 hours).

Earlier in the day, the court responded to a public interest petition, seeking action against leaders indulging in hate speech and breaching the EC's Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The Election Commission remarked of beginning toothless. Supreme Court bench issues a notice if someone violates the model code, or uses religion, or caste for votes, then an advisory of they don't follow the notice. SC would like to examine the matter also they want a representative of the EC who is conversant with the details to appear.