New Delhi: Ahead of next month's Assembly elections and Ganesh Festival in Maharashtra, the Election Commission (EC) today (Sep 10, 2004) warned political parties that they would attract action if religious sentiments were used for political purposes.

It also made known that "adequate action" will be taken "if the need arose" during BJP leader Uma Bharati's 'Tiranga Yatra' entering Maharashtra over the weekend.

"Religious sentiments should not be used for political purposes. This applies to all political parties. There are enough provisions in the IPC (Indian Penal Code) to proceed against if religious celebrations are patently politicised," Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy told reporters.

He stated this when asked whether festivals could be "used" by political parties during the crucial Assembly polls in Maharashtra.

The CEC was talking to reporters after a meeting of poll observers for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh as also bypolls to four Lok Sabha seats and 40 Assembly constituencies.

Asked whether Uma Bharati's yatra would vitiate the atmosphere in Maharashtra, Murty said, "The State concerned has enough powers. We do not proceed on assumptions. When the problem comes, adequate action will be taken either by the State Government or by the Election Commission if there is need."