Election Commission tells Supreme Court its powers are "limited", over 'inaction against political parties violating model code of conduct'

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its displeasure with the Election Commission for 'having limited power to act against political leaders' like BSP supremo Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath over the remarks made on religious lines, thereby violating the model code of conduct during election campaigning. 

The top court was hearing a PIL seeking action against political parties over speeches and remarks made along religion and caste lines during elections. 

Expressing anger over Mayawati's remarks seeking Muslim votes, the Supreme Court demanded actions against the BSP supremo over her comments. However, in its defense, the Election Commission told the top court that its powers are 'limited', adding that it can only issue advisory on such comments and can not do anything more. 

Stating that it is 'powerless' on such matters of speeches made on religious lines, the poll body told the top court that it can only issue advisory to politicians who violate the model code of conduct.

READ: Election Commission Issues Showcause Notice To BSP Chief Mayawati For Her Poll Speech Urging Muslim Voters To Vote For UP Gathbandhan. Read It Here

Meanwhile, SC has asked the Election Commission representatives to be present in the court for hearing in the case on Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday in order to seek details against the leaders. 

BSP supremo Mayawati has been under the scanner of the poll body for her speech appealing the Muslims to not vote for the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha poll.

On April 7, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister made the controversial remarks at the joint rally of SP-BSP-RLD in Deoband.

"I want to tell the Muslim community to not let their votes divide. I ask you to vote together for BSP, SP and RLD. I'm warning, especially people of Muslim community, that Congress isn't in a position to fight BJP in UP. Only 'gathbandhan' can fight BJP," she had said.

Taking cognisance of the speech, the UP Chief Electoral Officer also issued notice to Mayawati. 

Furthermore, the Election Commission also took cognisance of chief minister Yogi Adityanath's communal 'Ali-Bajrangbali' and 'green virus' jibe and issued a notice to him. 

While addressing a rally in Meerut on April 9, Adityanath had called out the Opposition and the Congress party saying that 'if they believe in Ali, we also believe in Bajrangbali'.

READ: Election Commission Issues Show-cause Notice To UP CM Yogi Adityanath Over Communal 'Ali-Bajrangbali' And 'green Virus' Speech