The Election Commission has asked Twitter to remove a controversial tweet by BJP’s Kapil Mishra, a candidate for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, in which he likened the election in the city to India versus Pakistan contest.

The Election Commission’s action came after the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer wrote to the EC to remove the tweet posted by Mishra on Thursday, EC officials said. The Delhi CEO Office has also issued a showcause notice to Mishra, who has been fielded by the BJP from the Model Town constituency, they said.

In the tweet, Mishra, a former minister in the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet, said the February 8 election will be a contest between India and Pakistan in Delhi. In its criticism of opposition parties over their protest against the citizenship law, the BJP has been accusing them of speaking “Pakistan’s language”.

KAPIL MISHRA’S REPLY TO EC

In his reply to the Election Commission notice, Kapil Mishra said his remarks have been taken out of context. “I gave general opinion on the issue and not by way of any election rally or speech. These impugned remarks should not be considered as election related statements,” the BJP leader said on Friday.

“I have not named any caste/community/religion or linguistic group, neither have I intended to aggravate any differences to gain any electoral benefit…my statement referes merely to two countries, two entities who are not involved in any election process at a national level at present,” Kapil Mishra said.

“The protesters in Shaheen Bagh are neither in my constituency nor my voters hence my statement will have no impact on them,” Kapil Mishra said.

(With PTI inputs)

Also read | EC notice to BJP’s Kapil Mishra on provocative ‘India vs Pakistan on Feb 8’ remark, seeks report

Also watch | India vs Pakistan on February 8, says BJP leader Kapil Mishra on Delhi poll

 

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