RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel reacted sharply to the FIR lodged against him at a Noida police station for alleged violation of Covid protocol, wondering why the Election Commission wasn't taking action against BJP leaders who have violated rules.
Baghel, who is a senior observer for Congress in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, was out campaigning door to door in Noida’s Sector 113 for a party candidate on Sunday when an FIR was registered against him for allegedly flouting Covid norms. The protocol allows only five persons to accompany the campaigner but, according to the FIR, Baghel had a larger group.
On Monday, Baghel said: “Why was the FIR lodged only against me when I was there with several other candidates, 15-20 security personnel, district committee presidents and about 30-40 journalists and cops from UP police? Secondly, people are coming and meeting me, how am I supposed to carry out the campaigning? The Election Commission should come and explain how the campaigning should be done and we’ll follow that.”
Why were BJP people not booked in Amroha, says Baghel
Why were BJP people not booked in Amroha or the ministers who have been campaigning door-to-door over the past five days?" the Chhattisgarh CM asked, adding that the Election Commission should be fair and transparent. "What can be expected of them in the end when they are not being fair at the very beginning itself," he remarked.
Baghel participated in a door-to-door campaign on Monday in Gautam Buddha Nagar district of UP.
The first phase of voting in Uttar Pradesh is on February 10 and the last on March 7. tnn
