File Photo of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Veeravalli Sundaram Sampath
The Election Commission on Wednesday expressed displeasure over Assam Minister Himanta Biswal Sarmah's remarks that the "blood of Muslims" flows through pipes in Gujarat and warned him to be more careful in the future.
The Election Commission had issued a show cause notice to him earlier this month for his remarks made at an election meeting in Tezpur.
In his reply, Sarmah had said the remarks do not violate the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.
Noting that his remarks were "communal and inflammatory" in nature, the Election Commission had conveyed its "displeasure" and said it showed his "utter disrespect" for the provisions of the Model Code.
It also warned him to be "more careful" in the future.