From correspondents in Delhi, India, 08:32 PM IST

The Election Commission Saturday censured Akhilesh Das, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, for making derogatory remarks about his rival and Samajwadi Party candidate Nafisa Ali.

'Election Commission is of the considered opinion that Dr. Akhilesh Das has violated the provisions of the model code of conduct and the Election Commission has censured him for the said violation,' the poll panel said in a statement issued here.

The Election Commission had issued a show cause notice to Das April 23 for violating the provisions of the model code of conduct and had asked him to submit his explanation by April 24.

Das submitted his reply on April 25. The Election Commission said that parts 3, 4 and 5 of his explanation amounts to admission that he had made derogatory remarks about the personal character and conduct of Nafisa Ali.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)