The Election Commission has reprimanded BJP leader Yogi Adityanath for violating Model Code of Conduct by invoking religion to seek votes for his party. The Commission cautioned him to be careful in future making public utterances during election rallies.

It said Yogi's reply to the Commission's notice is silent on objectionable statement made by him and it dwells more on technical aspects. The poll panel also took serious exception to his reply to the Election Commission notice through an advocate.

The Commission said, it would have been appropriate, had he filed the reply himself and addressed it to the Commission.

On 9th of this month, the Election Commission had issued a show-cause notice to Adityanath for his alleged communal remarks during bye-poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Commission also directed the Chief Electoral Officer, CEO, Uttar Pradesh to ensure that an FIR is filed against Yogi Adityanath for violating Model Code of Conduct. The CEO has been asked to comply with Commission's direction by tomorrow evening.