EC slaps notice on Laloo for remarks against Varun

The Election Commission on Thursday served a notice to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad for violation of the model code of conduct, on his alleged statement against Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Varun Gandhi.

Laloo has been asked to reply to the notice by April 11, Deputy Election Commissioner J P Prakash told reporters in New Delhi.

An FIR has already been filed in Kishanganj against Laloo, who had stated at an election rally that he would have crushed Varun Gandhi, detained under the National Security Act, under a "road roller without caring for consequences", for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks.

Kishanganj District Magistrate Ferak Ahmed had said, "I have seen the CD of Laloo Prasad's speech. He has tried to create communal disturbance and divide society by his speech."

The EC also studied the transcript of Laloo's remarks. Laloo, however, claimed that what he "meant was crushing him under the roller of law had I been the home minister."