LUCKNOW: The Indian National Congress and the Samajwadi Party on Saturday alleged that Samajwadi Party’s candidate from Ambedkar Nagar Assembly constituency Lalji Varma is under house arrest on the orders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Voting for the sixth phase of the elections is underway in Ambedkar Nagar.
District officials could not be reached for comment on either allegation.
SP leader Arvind Kumar Singh has written a letter to the Election Commissioner alleging that the Ambedkar Nagar administration is influencing the elections by putting SP candidates under house arrest.
He said the Election Commission should take care to ensure fair voting.
SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, in a post on X, said police had searched Verma’s house. “But the police did not intend to find anything and they did not find anything. This is an evil act which tarnishes the honest image of Lalji Verma. It is highly condemnable! This is the frustration of a defeated BJP,” he said.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress party said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government were “fearing defeat and have openly resorted to dictatorial politics”.
“We have received information that India Block candidate from Ambedkar Nagar, Lalji Varma, has been placed under house arrest,” the party said in a statement.
“By misusing government machinery, Union of India candidates are not being allowed to leave the floor and voters are being intimidated. Sir, if you are awake please take action,” the party said, drawing the attention of the Election Commission of India.
The Samajwadi Party, in another post, also appealed to the Election Commission to take cognizance of the issue.
Published May 25, 2024 10:46 IST
