New Delhi:
The Election Commission has allowed
Amit Shah, close aide of the BJP's prime ministerial candidate
Narendra Modi, to hold public meetings, public rallies and roadshows in Uttar Pradesh, lifting a ban it had ordered last week.
Mr Shah had reportedly written to the commission seeking a review of the ban and promising that he would not disturb public tranquility or law and order. (
Read: Election Commission bans Azam Khan and Amit Shah's rallies in Uttar Pradesh)
"ln your representation, you have stated, inter alia, that you undertake on oath that I shall not use abusive or derogatory language in the campaign and shall not make any utterances violative of model code of conduct..." the Election Commission order on Thursday observed. (
Elections 2014: Full Coverage)
"The Commission, having considered your aforesaid assurance/undertaking, has decided to modify its order dated, April 11, 2014 to the effect that permission may be granted for holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies' road shows' etc by the concerned district administration authorities where you are expected or likely to participate," it added.
The commission had on April 11 ordered the UP government to bar Mr Shah and its prominent minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning in the state after they made provocative remarks in their speeches.
Yesterday's order did not lift the ban on Mr Khan, who too has petitioned the Election Commission to review its decision of April 11.
Just two days ago, the Election Commission had again "censured" Mr Shah for talking about "revenge" in public speeches he made in the riot-scarred Muzaffarnagar area of western UP.
In its order it said it was giving him a "second chance" and that it would "closely monitor Shah's campaign by constant video tracking by concerned district election authorities." (
Read: After ban on campaign, Election Commission censures Amit Shah, Azam Khan for remarks)