Rahul Gandhi slur: Election Commission slaps 48-hr electioneering ban on Satpal Satti

Satti is the longest-serving president of Himachal BJP. The three-time legislator from Una lost 2017 assembly election even as party registered an emphatic victory.

The Election Commission on Friday slapped a 48-hour electioneering ban on Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Satti for his slur against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Nalagarh.

The Election Commission had on Wednesday served another notice on Satti for violating the model code of conduct. (HT Photo)

The ban will come into effect from 10 am on April 2oth.

“The commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars Satpal Satti from holding any public meetings, processions, rallies road shows and interviews in the media (electronic, print and social media) for 48 hours” said additional chief electoral officer Dalip Negi.

The EC had taken cognisance of video clipping forwarded by its surveillance team and given Satti a 24-hour deadline to replying to its notice .

In his reply, Satti, 55, said the video clipping of his rally speech being shared on the social media were doctored. He had denied of having used “abusive” language against Rahul

The Congress on Thursday had asked EC to ban Satti from campaigning.

Led by former state party chief Sukhvwinder Singh Sukhu, the delegation met the chief electoral officer Devesh Kumar and submitted a memorandum to chief election commissioner Sunil Arora demanding the ban. Later, addressing media, Sukhu said if EC fails to take action, they would gherao Satti and register a protest against him.

Satti is the longest-serving president of Himachal BJP. The three-time legislator from Una lost 2017 assembly election even as party registered an emphatic victory. “

The EC had on Wednesday served another notice on Satti for violating the model code of conduct.

Notice said prima facie Satti was guilty of violating the poll code for his remarks against Rahul and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Satti had made the alleged remarks at an election meeting in Una district on April 14. Satti has rubbished the charges.