Case under RPA filed against DCC prez for controversial speech

A case under the Representation of the People Act has been slapped on Kozhikode District Congress committee President, K C Abu for allegedly violating the model code of conduct, election officials said today.
Abu, while addressing a UDF convention at Cheruvanoor in Beypore on April 7, had allegedly made certain remarks which went against the commission's directions that votes should not be canvassed on the basis of religion.
The Election Commission had yesterday sought an explanation from the Congress leader, directing him to file it by 5 PM today failing which further proceedings would be launched against him.
A case under section 125 of the RPA, 1951, has been registered by police against him, Deputy Collector Devi Das, who is the Assistant Collector (Elections), said.

While addressing the convention, Abu had allegedly said if the UDF candidate Adam Mulsi was elected from Beypore, it would mean a Muslim MLA and a Muslim mayor. If the Kozhikode mayor V K C Mammed Koya, LDF candidate in the constituency, was defeated he would continue as mayor, Abu had allegedly said.
The BJP candidate in Beypore constituency, K P Prakash Babu had filed a complaint with the EC and police against Abu.
BJP had alleged that the DCC president was trying to whip up communal passions to create polarisation and to fetch votes for the Congress.