Gujarat Congress wants ban on Paresh Rawal for 'defamatory' speech

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Congress has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission seeking to restrain BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Ahmedabad East and Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal from holding any more poll rallies due to "derogatory" jibes against Congress leaders.

In a written complaint sent to the EC today, legal convener of Gujarat Congress, Nikunj Balar compared Rawal's speech with BJP leader Amit Shah and SP leader Azam Khan, who have been barred from canvassing by the EC. The complaint cited Rawal's speech in Bapunagar area yesterday, where he addressed a public meeting in the presence of the media and returning officers, who according to the Congress, had recorded his speech.

It is alleged that Rawal took a dig at Congress by Saying that instead of talking about Modi's marital status, Congress should tell people about how they ruined the country.

"To make his point, Rawal used a very derogatory Gujarati proverb in his speech. He also went on accusing Congress leaders without any evidence in very defamatory and provocative language, which is a clear violation of Section 123 of the RP Act," Balar said. "To stop him from spreading such hatred among the masses, we asked the EC to restrain Rawal from addressing any more public rallies or canvassing until elections end," Balar said.