New Delhi: A video has emerged of BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate for Hyderabad, K Madhavi Latha, at a polling booth, checking the identity documents of burqa-clad women and asking them to lift their veil. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM is lodging a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in this connection. Notably, Latha and Owaisi are facing off in Hyderabad. Owaisi won by a sizeable margin in the last Lok Sabha elections.
Latha visited several polling booths after voting at Amrita Vidyalaya. She halted at a polling booth in Azampur and started checking the IDs of women waiting to vote. In a video, she can be seen asking a burqa-clad woman to lift her veil, which the latter does, The Indian Express reported.
Latha also warned polling officials to allow voting only after properly checking ID cards. She later claimed that there were discrepancies in the voter list and that the names of several voters were missing.
According to the Hyderabad Collector, a case has been filed against Latha at the Malakpet Police Station under sections 171C (undue influence at an election), 186 ( obstructing public servant), 505(1)(c) (intent to incite) of the IPC and Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act (misconduct at the polling station).
As the video went viral on social media, Latha wrote on X, “It has come to my notice that one video of mine is being circulated in the media to create negativity. I would like to clarify that it is an incomplete view and even because of such a video, if anyone’s sentiments are hurt, I would like to apologise as I respect all individuals.”
#WATCH | Telangana: BJP candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, Madhavi Latha visits a polling booth in the constituency. Voting for the fourth phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 is underway. pic.twitter.com/BlsQXRn80C
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024
