ELECTION SPECIAL: Most controversial statements that shamed Indian democracy

The biggest election fest in the world is in its business end. And no wonder the whole world is watching with rapt attention, after all it's the elections of the largest democracy in the world. The voting is over and soon we will have a winner. The elections of 2014 by and large have been successfully conducted, restricting violent outbreaks, bribing and booth capturing incidents to the bare minimum. Certainly, a job well done by the Election Commission. However, the EC may have been successful in keeping most of the unwarranted political activities under check with relative ease, but found it excruciatingly difficult to keep our loose cannon politicians under control. A stage, a mic and audience, and our beloved ‘neta jis’ were ready to spew venom in quest to strengthen their vote bank,even at the cost of religious sentiments, ethics, and moral value. Sure, things can be taken with a pinch of salt with election of such great magnitude, but can't be easily ignored when the whole world is watching and nation's reputation is at stake. After all from these politicians, we will have ministers who will represent India across the globe. Here is a look at the top 10 controversial statements that reassert the fact that our politicians know no bounds when it comes to the politics of vote bank.

Who said it: SP Leader Azam Khan Context: Samajwadi Party leader and UP Minister Azam Khan while speaking to supporters at his hometown, Rampur, referred to Modi as "kutte ke bacche ka bada bhai." Khan's puppy remark was a late response on Modi's July 2013 controversial statement on victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots. Modi had then said,"Even If I am in the back seat of a car and a puppy comes under the wheels, isn't it painful? It is. Whether I am a chief minister or not, I am a human being. I will be sad if something bad happens anywhere."

Who said it: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Context: Lashing out at Narendra Modi for his comments on Bangladeshi infiltrators, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate would have been 'slapped' had he uttered such words in any other state. "Bravery is good but overt bravery is not good. If he had uttered such words in any other state, he would have been slapped. It is because it is our state that he was spared," Banerjee said about Modi's remarks that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants would be sent packing after May 16.

Comment: ‘’The Butcher of Gujarat could not take care of his own wife. How will he take care of this great nation?’’ Who said it: TMC spokesperson Derek O’Brien Context: The controversial remarks from TMC spokesperson Derek O’Brien came after BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi raked up the Saradha scam and said he did not expect this from the Trinamool supremo. Modi said,"Saradha is the other name of Saraswati, she is worshipped everywhere, and this Saradha turned into a chit fund? Mamataji, we did not expect this from you."

Comment: Azamgarh in UP "a base of terrorists" Who said it: BJP leader Amit Shah Context: Amit Shah in a rally said that Azamgarh was a base of terrorists as there was no fear of the state government, which was advocating their release. He also pointed out that the accused in Gujarat bomb blast cases were from Azamgarh. The comment did not go down well with political parties like SP and BSP. Former U.P. CM Mayawati and CM Akhilesh Kumar urged the Election Commission to take action against Shah. It should be noted that the EC had just lifted a ban on Shah. Modi’s close aide, Shah, had asked voters to seek "revenge" through ballot for the riots. A remark, which the EC had termed "malicious" and "intentional".

Comment: ‘’Kargil ki pahadiyo ko fateh karne wala koi hindu nahi tha. Balki Kargil ki chotiyo Allah-ho-Akbar kahkar fateh karne wale muslmaan fauji the’’ Who said it: SP leader Azam Khan Context:While addressing a rally in Muslim dominated area in Massorie, Ghaziabad, where Azam Khan said that it’s time to teach Modi a lesson. Khan drew flak from all corners for his insensitive remark. Following the directions of the Election Commission, the UP police lodged an FIR against the senior Samajwadi party leader for his 'hate speech'.

Comment: ‘’If any Muslim opposes the Samajwadi Party, have a DNA test done’’ Who said it: SP leader Abu Azmi Context: In this election, politicians had made numerous attempts to polarise voters. But Samajwadi leader Abu Azmi went a step further. Addressing a rally in Khalilabad, Uttar Pradesh, Azmi said,"If any Muslim opposes the Samajwadi Party, have a DNA test done, he could be an RSS man. Muslims who don't vote for the SP are not true Muslims." The controversial comment spread like wildfire. Soon, politicians across party lines, social media and even the common man was criticizing Azmi for his remark. While Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi questioned if Samajwadi Party wants to conduct DNA test of Muzaffarnagr riot victims too, most of who voted against Mulayam Singh, BJP leader Shaina NC called it a ‘height of communal crazy statements’.

Comment: Rahul Gandhi goes to Dalit homes for "picnics and honeymoon" Who said it: Yoga guru Ramdev Context:Yoga guru Ramdev was caught in the eye of the storm following his statement that Gandhi goes to Dalit homes for "picnics and honeymoon". After making the comment Ramdev expressed regret to the Dalit community but claimed his remarks were misrepresented, however the damage was already done. EC taking cognizance of the matter directed that people may not make “malicious” statements about the private life of individuals.Those who violate the directive would not be allowed to hold programmes during polls.

Comment: ‘’Modi critics should go to Pakistan’’ Who said it: BJP leader Giriraj Singh Context: During an election meet BJP candidate Giriraj Singh, said,’’Those opposing Narendra Modi are looking at Pakistan, and such people will have place in Pakistan and not India.’’ The Election Commission censured the BJP leader for his inflammatory speeches, also Giriraj earned the displeasure of the party's central leadership which distanced itself from his remark. Congress and JD(U) also slammed the BJP leader's "outrageous comments".

Comment: ‘’Muslims should be communal foe their own good’’ Who said it: AAP leader Shazia Ilmi Context: AAP leader Shazia Ilmi made headlines for the wrong reasons when she said that Muslims' votes split as they were "too secular" and they "should become communal" and vote keeping in mind "our own interest". The Arvind Kejriwal-headed Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) ticked Ilmi off and distanced itself from the controversial remarks, saying it does not endorse her views.

Comment: ‘’Rajiv Gandhi publicly humiliated a Congress chief minister when he was the party’s general secretary’’ Who said it: BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi Context: Addressing a rally in Amethi, from where Rahul Gandhi is contesting elections, Modi said Rajiv Gandhi, a former PM, had publicly humiliated a Congress chief minister when he was the party’s general secretary to claim it was the ruling party leaders who practiced the politics of anger and arrogance and not him. The Gandhi family were quick to lambast Modi for his remarks. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit back at Modi for insulting her father. Accusing the BJP nominee of indulging in 'neech rajniti', Priyanka said that people of Amethi will never forgive him. Modi was quick to give Priyanka’s ‘Low-level’ politics jibe a ‘caste’ spin. Modi said,’’I cannot deny I was born into a 'neechi jaati' (backward caste) but is that a crime?’’