Cracking the whip, the Election Commission today banned BJP leader Giriraj Singh from campaigning in Jharkhand and Bihar for his controversial remarks that people who do not vote for Narendra Modi will have to find a place in Pakistan.
The Commission also separately issued him with a show cause notice.
In a communication to Chief Secretaries of Jharkhand and Bihar, the EC said the district authorities in the two states should not permit Singh from holding public meetings, public processions, rallies and road shows.
"The FIRs filed in the matter shall be investigated quickly and brought to a logical conclusion," the Commission told the two state governments.
It also asked them to take all preventive measures against Singh under relevant provisions of the CrPC "to ensure that no act of commission or omission is resorted to by him which has the effect of prejudicially affecting the public tranquillity and law and order."
It has sought a compliance report from the two governments by 5 pm of Thursday.
Taking note of the "highly inflammatory" speeches of Singh and statements made by him before the media on April 18 at Bokaro and Deoghar in Jharkhand, the Commission also expressed "serious concern".
"The Commission has particularly noted that part of his public utterance that voters who do not vote for Modi shall have to find their place in Pakistan, is totally violative of the principles of the Indian Constitution...," the communication said.
Giriraj Singh is a former Bihar minister and a candidate in Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.
