ECI Cracks Down on K Chandrasekhar Rao: 48-Hour Campaigning Ban Issued Over Derogatory Remarks

The Election Commission on Wednesday imposed a 48-hour ban on BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao from campaigning, effective from 8 pm today, May 1st. This action follows alleged "derogatory and objectionable statements" made by Rao against the Congress during a campaign rally in Sircilla.

"The Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars Sh. K. Chandrashekar Rao, President, BRS from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc. in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 8:00 PM on 1st May, 2024."read the notice issued by ECI.

During the press meet on April 5th in Sircilla, KCR referred to Congress leaders as 'sons of dogs' and criticized the government as the 'government of lathkhors' and labelled them 'pakka chavatas, daddammas, chetakani chavatas' (People who are good for nothing).

A complaint lodged with the ECI on April 6th by TPCC senior vice president G Niranjan alleged that KCR disparaged and offended Congress lawmakers during the news conference in Siricilla. The Election Commission deemed these comments as unverified accusations and derogatory remarks that could harm the reputation of the opposition party and disrupt the fairness of the electoral process.

KCR was given until April 18, 2024, by the ECI to clarify his position on the remarks. Despite multiple instructions from the Election Commission regarding his speech, KCR was found to have violated the model code of conduct. The poll authority warned that if KCR failed to respond within the specified time, appropriate action would be taken by the Election Commission. Rao becomes the second politician to face a 48-hour campaigning ban during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, following Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.