Azam Khan threatens to move SC, slams EC’s relief to Amit Shah
Azam Khan says the election panel has a misunderstanding that its arbitrary powers can't be challenged in any court
Rampur: Hitting out at Election Commission for lifting the ban on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan on Friday said he will move the Supreme Court against the poll panel’s order barring him from campaigning in the state.
“Can any commission be above the Supreme Court. The Election Commission (EC) has a misunderstanding that its arbitrary powers can’t be challenged in any court," the Samajwadi Party leader, who was banned along with Shah on 11 April from campaigning in the state for allegedly making provocative speeches, said at a press conference in Rampur.
The EC, however, on Thursday allowed Shah to campaign in Uttar Pradesh after he assured the poll body that he would not disturb the public tranquillity and law and order.
Asking why he was not given similar relief, Azam told reporters, “A criminal, an assailant and a murderer of humanity, whose entry into Gujarat has been banned by Supreme Court, availed freedom to campaign whereas the voice of a person whose entire community is a victim and who has a spotless character has been crushed". Accusing the EC of acting at the behest of Congress and “ignoring the high ideals and impartial practices as provided in the Constitution", he said, “I shall approach the apex court and believe I will get justice".
“The action of the Commission reeks of undeclared emergency.... I don’t know what the EC wants from me. It punished me without considering my reply. They have committed a huge legal blunder in my matter," he said and called himself a “victim". Meanwhile, supporters of Azam, wearing black badges, staged a march in front of Jama Masjid in Rampur raising slogans against the Commission.
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