Bhupat Bhayani, Kirit Patel

Amidst the heavy sloganeering and statements exchanged among parties, former Visavadar MLA for AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) and current BJP leader, Bhupat Bhayani, has landed in trouble over a controversial speech made on Apr 22 against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Junagadh BJP chief Kirit Patel has been given a clean chit over his statements on royal families as well as disabled people.

The Election Commission’s enforcement officer in Visavadar submitted a report on Apr 24 to the assistant returning officer (ARO) regarding the speeches.

These statements were passed by Bhayani during the inauguration of the BJP’s office in Visavadar.

Both of these statements, by Bhayani and Patel, were scrutinised for violations of the moral code of conduct.

Sources close to the developments suggested that Bhayani’s statement on Gandhi, deemed personal, was flagged as a violation of the code of conduct.

However, as the district BJP chief’s comments were not personal, the MCC standards remained intact, over which a report was submitted to the nodal officer.

Meanwhile, the complainant in this row, an electoral candidate himself, Alpesh Trambadia, has appealed to the district election officer (DEO), demanding action against this violation.

Also read:

Another BJP leader Kirit Patel lands on backlash radar of Kshatriyas in Gujarat

State chief electoral officer warns parties regarding controversial statements