A day after Madhya Pradesh high court asked political parties to refrain from physical political meetings, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday called off his two public meetings in Gwalior-Chambal region.
In response to a petition on crowded political gatherings amid Covid-19 threat in Gwalior-Chambal region, Gwalior bench of MP High Court had asked political parties to focus on virtual meets and only hold physical meetings under restrictions after securing permission from the Election Commission of India.
Accordingly, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called off his public meetings scheduled at Shadora in Ashoknagar and Barach in Bhander in Datia.
Talking to media persons, he said in accordance with a verdict from the HC Gwalior bench, political rallies and meetings can’t take place and could be held only after a permission from the EC. He said, "We respect HC verdict but they are approaching the Supreme Court as one country and two laws kind of situation has emerged due to this decision."
He however pointed out that political rallies are being held in other parts of MP and states like Bihar but a portion of MP can’t hold such events. This is why we are moving SC and I am hopeful that we will get justice, added Chouhan.
The HC had not only barred parties from holding crowded gatherings saying right to life was above the right to campaigning. In connection to previous public meetings against norms, the HC had ordered FIRs against union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and MPCC chief Kamal Nath.