Keshubhai Patel seeks action by poll panel against Navjot Singh Sidhu

BJP MP had allegedly called ex-CM an 'anti-national' leader

Taking umbrage at Navjot Singh Sidhu's remark in which the cricketer-turned-politician allegedly termed him as an "anti-national leader", Gujarat Parivartan Party president Keshubhai Patel Saturday appealed to the Election Commission to take suo motu action against the BJP MP and his party.

Addressing a public rally in Visavadar assembly constituency in Junagadh district recently, the former cricketer, campaigning for BJP candidate Kanubhai Bhalala, had called Keshubhai an "anti national" leader.

Terming Sidhu's remark as an instance of inciting people in the name of religion, he urged the poll panel to step in. Keshubhai alleged Sidhu made the comment at the behest of BJP and Chief Minister Narendra Modi. "BJP and Modi are afraid of GPP and that is why they are resorting to such tactics," he added.

Daring Modi to point out any instance of anti-national activity against him, the former CM said he should be hanged if there is an iota of truth in the allegation.

"Calling me anti-national tantamount to comparing me with Kasab. Anti-national citizens are hanged," he said, adding, "BJP is ready to go at any level to win this election and its comments are highly condemnable."

Keshubhai, who broke away with the BJP to form the new outfit, alleged the saffron party itself was the "biggest killer of cows and the highest seller of gauchar (grazing) land".

BJP MP may face defamation case

Meanwhile, a private complaint seeking registration of a criminal defamation case against Sidhu over

his remarks on Keshubahi has been filed with a

magistrate's court in Rajkot. Chief Judicial Magistrate A A Vyas is likely to give his ruling on the complaint on Monday.

Complainant Bipin Jagjivan Rughani said that Sidhu's comment was an insult to the "whole of Gujarat state".

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