48-hr campaign ban on BJP's Kapil Mishra for controversial tweet

Cracking the whip, the Election Commission on Saturday imposed a 48-hour campaigning ban on Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Delhi's Model Town constituency Kapil Mishra over his controversial tweets.

The ban order, approved by the Chief Election Commissioner and two fellow Election Commissioners, came into force from 5 PM on Saturday, EC officials said.

The order, they said, referred to Mishra's tweets of January 22 and 23.

'Delhi mein chote chote Pakistan bane (Number of mini Pakistan has been created in Delhi)', 'Shaheen Bagh mein Pakistan ki entry', 'India Vs Pakistan February 8 Delhi', and the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress have created Shaheen Bagh like Pakistan are some of the contents in the tweets the EC order referred to.

While Twitter had taken down one of his controversial tweets on Friday following directions of the EC, a first information report was lodged against him under section 125 of the Representation of the People Act dealing with creating enmity among classes.

The order said the poll panel was not satisfied with Mishra's reply to the show cause notice issued to him.

It charged Mishra with violating provisions of the model code of Conduct dealing with aggravating existing differences or creating mutual hatred.

The order said the EC "condemns" the statements made by the BJP candidate and bars him from holding public meets, taking out public processions, holding rallies and road shows giving interviews and making public utterances in electronic, print and social media.

The EC, using its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution, has barred leaders from campaigning in the past either in states or at national level.

Delhi goes to poll on February 8.