 "Azam threatens to move SC, slams poll panel's relief to Shah")
Hitting out at the Election Commission (EC) for lifting the ban on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah, UP minister Azam Khan on Friday said he would move the Supreme Court against the poll panel’s order barring him from campaigning in the state.
“Can any commission be above the Supreme Court. The EC has a misunderstanding that its arbitrary powers can’t be challenged in any court,” the Samajwadi Party leader, who was banned along with Shah on April 11 from campaigning in the state for allegedly making provocative speeches, said at a press conference.
ALSO READ: EC lifts ban on Amit Shah, allows him to campaign in UP
“Can any commission be above the Supreme Court. The EC has a misunderstanding that its arbitrary powers can’t be challenged in any court,” the Samajwadi Party leader, who was banned along with Shah on April 11 from campaigning in the state for allegedly making provocative speeches, said at a press conference.
ALSO READ: EC lifts ban on Amit Shah, allows him to campaign in UP
Asking why he was not given similar relief, Azam told reporters, “A criminal, an assailant and a murderer of humanity, whose entry into Gujarat has been banned by Supreme Court, availed freedom to campaign whereas the voice of a person whose entire community is a victim and who has a spotless character has been crushed”.
Accusing the EC of acting at the behest of the Congress and “ignoring the high ideals and impartial practices as provided in the Constitution”, he said. “I shall approach the apex court and believe I will get justice.”
"The action of the Commission reeks of undeclared Eemergency.... I don't know what the EC wants from me. It punished me without considering my reply. They have committed a huge legal blunder in my matter," he said and called himself a "victim".
Meanwhile, supporters of Azam, wearing black badges, staged a march in front of Jama Masjid here raising slogans against the Commission.