The Election Commission took strong exception to the ‘casteist’ remarks of RJD supremo lalu Prasad and filed an FIR against him with Raghopur police in Vaishali district. Another case was also filed against senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi in Kaimur in context of his speech in that district.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer R lakshmanan on Tuesday said the Vaishali Returning Officer found the speech of lalu Prasad objectionable and in violation of the Model Code of Conduct as well as the Representation of the People Act. The FIR has been filed with Raghopur police, he said and added the police would apply the relevant sections. As per the instruction of the Election Commission, a report would also be sent to it with the recording of the speech.

On Monday, lalu while campaigning in Raghopur where his son Tejaswi Yadav is making electoral debut, allegedly made casteist remarks. He said, “Yaduvanshis (Yadavs) beware! Opposition wants to divide you and disintegrate your vote. BJP has made plans to disintegrate your vote and make Yadavs weak. Arre, jab Yadav ko bhains kamzor nahi kar saka to ee sab ka haiIJ (When Yadav could not be weakened by the buffaloes  how can they weaken usIJ) Don’t fall for any misleading propaganda. This is the battle of Mahabharat. Just wake up and recognise the dalals (touts). Kamandal ke phor deve la hau (We have to smash the kamandal). This fight is backward versus forward.

CEC Nasim Zaidi on Monday had directed the Chief Electoral Officer to take notice of this speech and take appropriate action under the law.

Earlier in the day lalu posted two tweets on his handler. One said, “Modi can award (Mohan) Bhagwat for Bharat Ratna for his efforts to scrap reservation but I will continue my fight for the backwards, daalits and poor even if they hang me.” In another tweet he remarked, “Modi could file a petition in the UN against me but I am determined to wage a war for increase in the quota and publication of the data of caste census.”

BJP’s Sushil Modi on Monday in Bhabhua said both Mandal and Kamandal were with the BJP. Referring to the caste of PM Narendra Modi he said the BJP made a son of chai wallah PM. He also announced to give colour TV in Dalit hamlets and laptops to 50,000 meritorious students.

Modi said these were the promises that were included in the BJP’s manifesto and

there was no problem in announcing it.

lakshmanan said the statement of RlSP president and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha was not found to be an offence. Kushwaha had said that his candidates were poor so he would ask the voters vote as well as note (money). The official said he had just asked for donation which was not violation of code and law.

Many more politicians including Ram Vilas Paswan, Sushil Modi and Nand Kishore Yadav have also invoked caste while campaigning.