AAP seeks action against UP BJP legislator for 'hate speech'

Lucknow, April 22 (IANS) The AAP Tuesday sought action against a BJP legislator from Varanasi, accusing her of giving "hate speech" in the presence of senior party leader Amit Shah.

Aam Aadmi Party's campaign manager from Varanasi, Gopal Mohan has submitted a two-page letter to Uttar Pradesh's chief electoral officer, Umesh Sinha, accusing Jyotsana Srivastava, a legislator from Varanasi Cantt. of directing BJP workers to stop AAP volunteers from entering people's houses.

"A provocative statement given (by Srivastava) in full public view that BJP workers should not allow AAP volunteers to enter the houses of people and ensure they are forcibly driven out has been reported and the concerned MLA (leghislator) has confirmed her statement," said the letter.

The statement was made Monday in the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party's UP incharge, Amit Shah, it said further.

"It's a clear violation of EC's model code of conduct and the commission should take appropriate steps to ensure that political parties are not allowed to spread lawlessness," the letter said.

"It amounts to preventing the party volunteers from carrying out their campaign, which will hamper the conduct of a free and fair election. Such attempts should be nipped in the bud in the interest of democracy," it added.

The AAP demanded that a criminal case under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code be registered against Srivastava for provoking people with the clear intention of inciting violence, it said further.