EC notice to Ajmal over statement against BJP

Guwahati, April 11 (IANS) The Election Commission has served a show cause notice to AIUDF leader Maulana Badruddin Ajmal over a controversial statement he made against the BJP recently, a statement said Friday.

A statement issued by the media cell of Assam's chief electoral officer said the notice was served to Ajmal for violation of model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls.

Ajmal, the chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), made the controversial statement in a media interaction here March 22, it said.

He had said: "Almighty will not forgive anyone if BJP win even one seat in the state and that it is the duty of every Muslim to defeat BJP.

Following the statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party lodged a formal complaint with the poll panel.

Ajmal, who is seeking to retain the Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency where polling is due April 24, has been asked to reply before Monday, the statement said and added that necessary action would be taken against him if he fails to reply the notice within stipulated time.

State BJP chief Sarbananda Sonowal Friday expressed satisfaction over the EC's action and hoped that it would surely initiate necessary action against the AIUDF leader for his statement.