Daijworld Media Network

Dahod (Gujarat), Apr 16: In yet another incident of a BJP legislator resorting to threat and intimidation in order to garner votes, MLA Ramesh Qatar told a group of people during a campaign that Prime Minister Modi has installed CCTV cameras in polling booths to check who they voted for.

According to ANI news agency, campaigning for BJP candidate Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor in Dahod, Qatar told a gathering of villagers, "Who voted for BJP and who for Congress can be seen as Prime Minister Modi has installed cameras this time. Aadhaar Card and all cards have your photo now, if there are fewer votes from your booth then he will come to know who did not cast vote."

He further threatened them with unemployment, saying, "Those who do not vote for the Prime Minister will not get jobs."

Qatar's comments drew strong criticism from opposition parties. In a tweet, the RJD said, "Helpless, voiceless citizens are intimidated into voting for them. Such issues will have an impact."

It may be recalled that the Election Commission has already barred BJP's Yogi Adityanath and Maneka Gandhi, along with BSP chief Mayawati and SP's Azam Khan for 48-72 hours from campaigning.

Maneka Gandhi had been heard telling a gathering at Sultanpur that she would win 'with or without' the support of Muslims, but Muslims who do not vote for her should not be expecting any assistance for her. Adityanath was barred for his 'Ali and Bajrang Bali' comments, while Mayawati faced action for asking Muslims to cast their votes only for SP-BSP-RJD alliance, and Azam Khan was barred for making obnoxious comments at electoral rival Jaya Prada.

Polling in Gujarat will be held in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 23. The counting of the votes will be done on May 23.