EC's ban order taken under pressure: Mayawati

Slapped with a 48-hour ban on campaigning by the EC for her "provocative" communal remarks, BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday alleged the decision appears to have been "taken under pressure" and it will be remembered as a "black day".

Terming the ban a "sudden unprecedented order based on wrong facts", she asserted that the poor and deprived sections of the society will not forget it as she was being deprived of her right to appeal to uproot the BJP from power.

The EC on Monday imposed a nation-wide ban on Mayawati, among other leaders, for their "provocative" communal remarks, which it said had the "propensity to polarise the elections".

The action follows her speech in Deoband last week where she appealed to Muslim voters to not vote for Congress to avoid division in the anti-BJP votes.

"All citizens have the rights to move about and put forth their point of view. But here, the Election Commission has suddenly given an order which has cruelly deprived me of my rights on the basis of wrong facts.

"This order will be remembered in the history of Election Commission as a black day," Mayawati told reporters here while claiming that the "hurried" decision seems to have been taken under pressure.

"The intention behind this order is clear that as BSP chief I am not able to make an appeal to the people to uproot the BJP from power...The EC knows that campaigning for the second phase ends Tuesday evening and the Agra joint rally was scheduled. Now, I will not be able to make an appeal to the voters of Agra, Mathura and Fatehpur.

"Would such a sudden order, in a democratic set up like India, not be called murder of democracy," she posed.

The BSP chief said that she had complete faith in her followers and supporters who would understand the intention behind the order and will cast their votes fearlessly in favour of the alliance.

As for the ban on Adityanath, she said it will have no impact on the BJP as he is not party president.

Mayawati also alleged that Election Commission has "closed its eyes and ears" on speeches by BJP president Amit Shah Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other saffron party leaders.

"Shah and Modi have been given an open hand to spread hatred among different communities and play with the security of the country," the BSP president said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks asking first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the Balakot air strike are under examination of the poll panel.

About the rally in Agra scheduled Tuesday, Mayawati said senior BSP leaders will go there with her message.