EC bans baba Ramdev from holding meetings in Lucknow after 'honeymoon' remark

Lucknow: The Election Commission finally banned baba Ramdev from holding press conferences or public meetings till May 16 in Lucknow. The ban is imposed on him till elections are over but only in Lucknow region and not the state. The decision came after his 'honeymoon' remark over Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. At a program in Lucknow on Friday, Ramdev had said, 'He (Rahul Gandhi) goes to Dalits' house for honeymoon and picnic. Had he married a Dalit girl, then his luck could have clicked and he would have become the prime minister.' At least 3 FIRs were registered against Ramdev in this context in Lucknow. Though, he has apologised for his vulgar remarks. He had said 'I had no intention to insult honourable Rahul Gandhi or Dalit community. But this is also true that Rahul Gandhi goes to houses of poor and uses that opportunity as publicity stunt, picnic or tourism', he said, adding "I express regret if the use of that term has hurt the feelings of any community, especially Dalit community.' 'The statement I made has been misrepresented. The term honeymoon period is over is commonly used in political language. I tried to use it in that sense', Ramdev claimed. EC came out with new guidelines against making malicious statements about the personal life of an individual on Saturday. It said people who violate this guideline will face strict action.