NEW DELHI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) barred Congress party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu from campaigning during the country's ongoing general elections for 72 hours, officials said.
The ban came into force from 10:00 a.m. local time Tuesday.
Sidhu has been censured for his alleged communal remarks during an election rally in Bihar.
The cricketer-turned-politician stoked a controversy while addressing an election rally in Katihar last week, when he urged Muslim voters to vote en bloc and defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Election Commission has banned Congress leader and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu from election campaign for 72 hours for violating model code of conduct," an election commission official said.
Sidhu who was previously associated with ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is nowadays seen as an ardent opponent of Modi.
Previously ECI barred Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP leader Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan over inappropriate comments and violating the model code of conduct for specified time.
Tuesday marks the third phase of the staggered seven-phase polling in India.
In ongoing elections the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP is seeking to regain power under leadership of Modi. He is facing tough competition from Rahul Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of India's powerful Nehru-Gandhi clan and regional parties that have forged coalition in several states.
The opposition parties including Congress accuse BJP of having failed to deliver on its promises. However, Modi blames Congress party of being in league with Pakistan for its calls of evidence from the government for actions taken against Pakistan in the recent attacks.
