Breaking: ECI reduces Himanta Biswa's campaign restriction to 24 hours

GUWAHATI: In a major relief to the BJP, the Election Commission of India (ECI) today reduced the restriction on the campaign by star campaigner Himanta Biswa Sarma from 48 hours to 24 hours enabling him to campaign from this evening.

The election body wrote in a letter to Biswa Sarma today: "(...)the Commission. having considered your aforesaid unconditional apology and assurance/undertaking, in the above-mentioned representation, has decided to modify its Order dated 2" April. 2021 and reduce the period of debarment from election campaign from 48 hours to 24 hours to the effect that permission may be granted for holding any public meetings, public processions. public rallies, roadshows. etc.. by the concerned district administration authorities, where you are expected or likely to participate."

This will allow the senior BJP leader to participate in one final election rally that is slated to be held in his Home Constituency of Jalukbari, where he will also be joined by other BJP bigwigs JP Nadda and Amit Shah.

The ECI has last evening issued an order on the basis of the Congress complaint restricting him from electioneering for 48 hours.

Sarma was banned by the poll body on Friday from campaigning or speaking in public after a Congress submitted a complaint against him for 'openly threatening' to send chief Mohilary to jail by 'misusing' the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

A Congress delegation contended that by doing so, Biswa Sarma also attempted to influence citizens against voting for the alliance led by Congress.

“The commission strongly condemns the impugned statements made by Sh. Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP leader and star campaigner,” the order issued by ECI secretary Ajay Kumar Verma read.

“The commission under Article 324 of Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows, interviews and public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media), etc. in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from the immediate effect on 02.04.2021 (Friday),” it added.

Hours after the order came out, the ECI also ordered the replacement of his brother -- Sushanta Biswa Sarma -- as the Superintendent of Police of Goalpara district.

In an official communication to the Assam Chief Electoral Officer on Friday, the EC ordered the transfer of Sushanta Biswa Sarma from Goalpara “to some suitable post in State headquarters.”

In spite of the 'ban' on Himanta Biswa Sarma's electioneering, the campaign is on in full gusto in his home constituency -- where BJP workers have stepped up their efforts to elect him for a 5th straight term.

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