Azam Khan's 'underwear' jibe against Jaya Prada under EC lens

The Election Commission is examining SP leader Azam Khan's remarks against BJP's Jaya Prada to ascertain if the comments go beyond the violation of the Model Code of Conduct, an official of the poll panel said Monday.

Without taking names, Khan on Sunday had said at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district that it took "you 17 years to understand her reality" but, "I could recognise it in 17 days that she wears a khaki underwear".

The BJP has pitted actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada against Khan from the Rampur Lok Sabha seat.

The report, which includes the transcript of Khan's comments against the BJP candidate, was sent to the Uttar Pradesh electoral officer, who has in turn sent it to the EC for a decision.

The official cited a clause in the Model Code of Conduct that asks parties and candidates to "confine" their political attack during campaigning to policies and programmes of rivals.

"Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties," reads a part of the clause.

The official said, "If the EC concludes that he has actually made those remarks, it would take a call based on the provision. It can also go beyond the ambit of the model code as the reported remarks are not in a good taste."