Pragya gets EC notice for temple campaigning; denies charge

The BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur has replied to an Election Commission notice denying charges that she campaigned despite a 72-hour ban that ended Sunday morning.

Thakur was earlier issued notices for claiming that former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because of her "curse" and also for stating that she had participated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

The latest notice was served to her on Friday night after the Congress complained that pamphlets in her favour were distributed while she visited temples during the time she was banned from electioneering.

District returning officer Sudam Khade Sunday told PTI that he had received Thakur's reply which has been forwarded to MP chief electoral officer VL Kantha Rao for a decision.

In her reply on Saturday evening, Thakur has denied the charges of the Congress that she campaigned during the 3- day ban period, Khade said.

She later told reporters that visiting temples is an intrinsic part of her life.

"Those who are trying to stop me from going to temples should think about their lives, Thakur told reporters.