EC drops case against BJP office in Varanasi
Updated
Varanasi/New Delhi, May 11 (IANS): The Election Commission Sunday directed that the material seized from a vehicle at the BJP office in Varanasi be released and also dropped further action in the case.
In a statement, the poll panel said: "On receipt of a complaint, a flying squad checked a vehicle at the office of the BJP in Varanasi. After obtaining a report from a special observer and after finding that no irregularity has taken place, the commission has directed the release of the material and to drop further action."
Uttar Pradesh Police and commission officials had Sunday conducted a search at the Bharatiya Janata Party's regional office in Varanasi and seized poll campaign material, triggering protest from the party.
A police flying squad and poll panel officials had conducted the seizure amid a ban on all election campaign activities.
BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is pitted against Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress, among others, in Varanasi.
Earlier Rerport
Raid at BJP office in Varanasi on poll eve
Varanasi, May 11 (PTI): A day before polling for the high stake contest here, Uttar Pradesh police and election commission officials today conducted search at BJP's regional office in the city and seized campaign material, prompting strong protest from the party.
A flying squad of the state police and EC swooped down on the party office amid a ban on all election campaign activities since last evening for the polls, where BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is pitted against AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress' Ajay Rai among others.
Officials said that the action was taken to seize election campaign material as it had got information about such items being sent in large quantity from the BJP office here in the Sigra locality, despite a ban on poll campaign in place.
BJP leaders, however, claimed that these were unused campaign material and the party was not indulging in any campaign activities.
The seized items included T-shirts, pamphlets, badges, officials said, while adding that they found these products being transported from the BJP office.
The party leaders countered this with claims that the unused products were being returned to their respective manufacturers.
They alleged that the latest incident further proves the administration and election authorities' "partisan" approach against BJP and linked the raid to the local administration's denial of permission to Modi's rally here on May 8.