In Uttar Pradesh, the Varanasi District administration has given permission to the BJP to hold four of the five functions attended by its leader Narendra Modi in the city today.
The party had sought permission to organise five events which included a rally in congested Beniya Bagh ground in Varanasi. Varanasi District Magistrate Pranjal Yadav said that permission only for the Beniya Bagh rally has been denied due to security reasons.
The BJP, however, has cancelled three of the five functions citing delay in granting permission by the District Magistate.
Meanwhile, BJP has called for protests both in Varanasi and in Delhi today following denial of permission to hold the Beniya Bagh rally.
The party also demanded immediate removal of Varanasi Returning Officer and District Magistrate Pranjal Yadav accusing him of working in partisan manner. Our correspondent reports that the BJP has charged the district authorities with deliberately disturbing the rallies and programmes of Modi.
Party leaders Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah have announced holding a dharna in protest near the BHU gate today. Meanwhile the Samajwadi Party has denied any role in the denial of permission.
Varanasi Returning Officer Pranjal Yadav has cited an intelligence report of possible communal tension in Beniya Bagh to be the basis of his denial of permission. The BJP however insists that it will hold Modi's rally only in Beniya Bagh and not at any alternative place provided by the administration.
The Election Commission has expressed surprise and disappointment over the BJP's decision to hold protests today.
In a letter to party leader Arun Jaitley, the EC said the protests were announced despite the poll body trying to resolve the matter in accordance with law and the ground situation.
Principal Secretary in the EC, RK Srivastava said, besides the District Magistrate, the Commission also consulted the UP Chief Secretary and the DGP on the matter and they all advised against holding a rally in a congested area like the Beniya Bagh ground.
