New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) The Election Commission on Friday barred Uttar Pradesh Congress candidate Ajay Rai from campaigning for 24 hours for making objectionable remarks against the prime minister and the state chief minister.

Censuring Rai for violating the poll code, the Commission said the ban commences at 8.00 am on Saturday.

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Rai, who is contesting from the Pindara seat, had made the objectionable remarks in a live Facebook post in January, following which the EC had served him a notice.

In his reply to the notice served on him on Wednesday, Rai said the remarks were made metaphorically to describe salt packets distributed by the Central and state governments.

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The poll watchdog was not satisfied with his reply.

An FIR has already been lodged sgainst him in this regard.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)