Election Commission warns Anil Basu to be careful in future

The Election Commission has expressed its "severe displeasure" to veteran CPI(M) leader Anil Basu over using expletives against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at an election meeting and warned him to be careful in future.

The commission had earlier served a notice to Basu, observing that prima facie his utterances made at an election meeting at Arambagh in Hooghly on April 22 violated model code of conduct. He was asked to reply by April 30.

As he failed to reply to its notice, the EC had again asked him to reply by May 3. But he did not respond to the notice.

It was apparent that Basu evaded replying to the EC's letter and his interim reply was unsatisfactory, the EC said.

"Now, therefore, the Commission hereby conveys its severe displeasure to Anil Basu and warns him to be careful in future," the EC order said.

West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had censured Basu for his act.

Basu had already apologised for using expletives against Banerjee after being ordered by the party leadership which also barred the seven-time MP from holding poll rallies.