If you can't ensure security, don't hold polls, Arun Jaitley tells EC

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said by denying permission to Modi's rally, the poll body has “surrendered” before the Uttar Pradesh government.

Calling the action of Varanasi District Magistrate and Returning Officer Pranjal Yadav in this regard as “absolutely wrong”, he said the EC was “defending the indefensible” and demanded his transfer.

BJP workers protested in Varanasi and in Delhi against the EC move.

Charging the EC with having different yardsticks for different states, Javadekar said, “For BJP ruled states you come down heavily on the state governments and make them transfer.

You can't grant permission at the eleventh hour (in Varanasi) and say we have given permission.”