Sidhu admits to using foul language against rival

AMRITSAR: Navjot Singh Sidhu, former cricketer and Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate for the Amritsar Lok Sabha bypoll, has admitted in his reply to an Election Commission notice that he used foul language against his Congress rival during a television show.

Sidhu said the atmosphere went wrong when Congress candidate Surinder Singla called him a 'murderer', EC observer PS Randhawa said on Tuesday.

A notice was issued by the EC to Sidhu and Singla for using foul language during a live programme organised on a channel on Sunday.

Singla said Sidhu first used abusive language and thereafter the supporters of BJP who had come with Sidhu went on rampage and smashed the stage, Randhawa said.

He said the reply of both candidates proved a violation of the Election Code of Conduct. A report has been prepared and would be sent to the Election Commission to take action against both.