Arun Jaitley to hold dharna against denial of permission to Modi’s three events in Varanasi(video)

Varanasi, 7 May, 2014

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley today alleged electoral malpractice in Varanasi and announced satyagraha tomorrow at 11 am at Varanasi Lanka Gate. The party will also hold satyagraha opposite Election Commission office in New Delhi. The protest has been declared against denial of permissions to two public meetings of Narendra Modi, Ganga Pujan programme, and meeting with 150 prominent citizens in hotel’s banquet hall in Varanasi.

BJP has written to Election Commission demanding returning officer Pranjal Yadav(77 Varanasi Parliamentary Constituency) be replaced. Jaitlsy said he spoke to Chief Election Commission and also spoke to Electoral Officer about this. Jaitley said he confirmed the Returning Officer is biased.

-Jaitley said: BJP’s 27 leading party workers were arrested for distributing pamphlets which is routine activity during campaign. The party men were arrested under 144. 20 of them were released on bail, while others were arrested under section section 155. After two days of lockup they were released for Rs. 2 lakh bond.

-He said: On 5 May, we spoke to RO in connection with a rally. He said application should be submitted next morning. The place was not booked. When next morning BJP people visited to book the place they were made waiting till noon and later told that one Mr. Khan who runs some NGO had booked the place. When BJP asked to check two receipts(one of BJP and other from Mr. Khan)to check who booked it earlier, it was revealed that Mr. Khan had not paid money at all for booking. Collector said he had exempted Mr. Khan from paying for the venue. When asked about Mr. Khan’s programme, Collector said Mr. Khan would unfurl national flag! The RO then told BJP that permission couldn’t be granted due to terror threat.

-He further said: Then BJP was told that event should be held on other ground with capacity of 2000 people. Jaitley said he checked and found that there was no IB report suggesting cancellation of Modi’s programme. IB just suggests precautions. At 6.00 pm there’s no permission letter received by BJP. RO denied permission to Ganga pujan event while same was permitted for Kejriwal. Even in-house event in hotel was denied within the limit of city. RO speaks to news channel and says permission has granted. But when permission letter will be received, and when party will prepare for the events and invite people?

-Therefore it has been decided that Jaitley, Uttar Pradesh state BJP chief and Amit Shah among others will hold dharna outside Lanka gate.

-Modi will land at BHU helipad. As he has not been allowed to hold any event, he will go to BJP election headquarters, and move to airport for his next event.

-Jaitley said he was asking Election Commission since morning to act, but the Election Commission didn’t respond. He said local officer could behave in certain manner, but silence of election commission when asked to take action, was the biggest issue of concern.

-Jaitley said such a returning officer must not allowed to function for even a minute. He is returning officer of such an important constituency!

-When asked whether you would go to court, Jaitley said he would go to vote.

Jaitley said the party hasn’t received any piece of paper, partymen were just informed in the afternoon that none of the three permissions sought for Modi’s programme will be given.

Jaitley said Returning Officer is being economical with truth. He said this is not a banana republic that a PM candidate is not allowed to address a meeting in his own constituency. Jaitley said party never asked for an alternative venue. It was never an option for BJP as it can only accommodate 2000 people.

Journalist Ashok Malik says:

On May 5 evening, Returning Officer in Varanasi agreed to provide ground for Modis public meeting. He changed his ind on May 6 noon and said one Mr. Khan had booked the venue. Apparently Mr. Khan wants to unfurl national flag at same time as Modi meeting. he was exempted by Returning Officer from paying a deposit for ground. When BJP pointed out the mysterious Mr. Khan’s application was dodgy, Returning Officer said there was an IB report warning of threat, so no meeting.

Modi also denied permission to hold indoor meeting with prominent citizens in Varanasi. Could backfire on Congress/SP

— Minhaz Merchant (@minhazmerchant) May 7, 2014

Modi can't do aarti. Modi can't hold rallies. Modi can't meet people. The only thing left for EC to do is to ban people from voting for Modi

— The Bad Doctor (@doctoratlarge) May 7, 2014