Election commission censures Raj

Nagpur: Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has been censured by the Commission of India (ECI) for giving anti-North Indian speeches during the assembly elections. Finding him guilty of violating the election model code of conduct, the commission has asked him to be more circumspect in his public utterances in the future.
The ECI’s order dated October 19 came following a complaint lodged by city-based lawyer and president of Akhand Bharat Abhiyan, Vinod Tiwari, who is also national co-convener of BJP’s legal and legislative cell.
Taking the order’s base, Tiwari has decided to file petition in the Supreme Court requesting to freeze voting rights of Thackeray and other MNS candidates and also to suspend the party’s registration.
Tiwari had lodged complaint against Thackeray following the latter’s speeches at Ghatkopar and Kalna on October 5 and October 7, respectively.
In the order, ECI’s principal secretary RK Shrivastav said, “Your statements to the effect that ‘employment in any industry created in Maharashtra will be given only to Marathi boys and girls. No employment will be given to the boys and girls from other states. No entry boards will be put up on all the borders. They (outsiders) come to Maharashtra as private security guards with double barrel guns, where did you get it, were you a dacoit?’ are not only violative of fundamental rights but also sub para (1) of Model code of conduct.” Thackeray had defended himself citing two acts which the ECI said to be misplacement.