Modi denied nod for rally in Varanasi

Varanasi: A major controversy erupted on Wednesday with the BJP threatening a showdown with the Election Commission after Narendra Modi was denied permission for holding a rally in a crowded area here on Thursday. BJP accused the Election Commission (EC) of being a "mute spectator" to the "highly partisan" role of the Returning Officer in denying permission to Modi for addressing a public meeting in the crowded Veeniya Bagh area, where the RO cited security concerns for the denial. Demanding immediate removal of Varanasi Returning Officer Pranjal Yadav, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said he along with his party leaders including Amit Shah will hold a protest dharna outside Banaras Hindu University as well as outside the Election Commission in Delhi. However, the Returning Officer said permission was to hold his rally at an alternative site on the basis of an application by a BJP leader.

He said the other programmes of Modi, including the 'Ganga pooja' have been granted permission. But Jaitley rejected his claim, saying: "We are not out of our mind to seek permission for a meeting of our Prime Ministerial candidate at a place which can accommodate only 2,000 persons." Jaitley spoke to CEC V S Sampath, demanding immediate removal of the RO. Jaitley, Amit Shah and others will sit on dharna in Varanasi on Thursday over denial of permission.