The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Samajwadi Party leader and UP Minister Azam Khan for his controversial remarks on the Kargil conflict and against Narendra Modi, saying he has prima facie violated the Model Code of Conduct.
“The Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand before 5 pm on April 11, 2014, failing which the ECI shall take a decision without further reference to you,” the EC notice said. Khan had on April 7 kicked up a controversy by saying in Ghaziabad that it was “Muslim soldiers” who had ensured India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil war against Pakistan.
On April 5, Khan had allegedly used threatening language against the field election machinery while addressing a rally in Rampur. On April 2, he had used allegedly derogatory language against Modi. Political parties, including BJP, Congress, JD(U), slammed Khan for the comments and wanted action by the EC but his party reacted cautiously, saying it could be a reflection of some dissatisfaction over “unfulfilled aspirations”.