EC rejects RLD plea to ban PM's rally in Baghpat in view of Kairana Lok Sabha by-polls

The Election Commission has rejected the Rashtriya Lok Dal's plea for cancelling the programmes and rally of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Baghpat district on May 27, just a day before the crucial Kairana Lok Sabha by-polls.

The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the Eastern Peripheral Express way as well as address a public meeting at Khekra in Baghpat, adjacent to Kairana in Muzaffarnagar, on May 27.

The RLD had filed a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEO) L Venkateshwar Lu alleging that the PM's programme and rally was deliberately organised to a place which is adjacent to Kairana Lok Sabha constituency on May 27, a day before the polling, to influence voters in Kairana. They sought a ban on the event and the rally.

Following the RLD complaint, the CEO had sought a report from Shamli District Magistrate and RO IV Singh.

In his report to the CEO, Singh informed that the EC model code was enforced in areas falling under Kairana Lok Sabha constituency (Part of Shamili and Muzaffarnagar districts) whereas the Prime Minister's event and public address was in another district Baghapt where EC code was not enforced.

On the basis of the report, the CEO rejected the RLD plea seeking ban.

With only four days left to polling, Kairana Lok Sabha by-polls has become a battleground for the ruling BJP and the united opposition. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had held rallies on two days in Kairana and over half a dozen Union and state ministers are camping there to ensure BJP's win after losing Gorakhpur and Phulpur to BSP-supported Samajwadi Party.

BJP candidate Mriganka Singh, daughter of former BJP MP from Kairana late Hukum Singh, is fighting a tough battle against Tabassum Hasan of RLD. The RLD is supported by the Samajwadi Party, BSP, Congress. The AAP has also extended its support.