EC imposes 48-hour campaigning ban on Congress MP Randeep Surjewala over Hema Malini remark

• EC imposes a 48-hour campaigning ban on Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala 
• Development comes after Surjewala's derogatory remarks against BJP's Hema Malini
• Poll panel earlier issued showcause notice to both Surjewala and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge seeking reply by April 9

The Election Commission has imposed a 48-hour ban on Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala from campaigning following his alleged derogatory remark against BJP MP Hema Malini.

This action by the poll panel came after issuing showcause notices to both Surjewala and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge concerning the MP's comment directed at the BJP MP from Mathura.

A video circulated on social media, shared by the BJP, captured Surjewala allegedly stating, “Why people elect their MLAs/MPs? So that they (MLAs/MPs) can raise the public's voice. It's not like Hema Malini, who was elected to lick.”

The BJP strongly criticized the remark, condemning it as a 'new low to disrespect and demean the dignity of women' amidst the ongoing election fervor.

The Election Commission had demanded a response from Surjewala by April 9, following which the Congress leader argued that the “video cited by the complainant allegedly containing unforesaid utterances was a doctored video.”