Lucknow: BSP on Thursday informed the Election Commission about the step taken against one of its candidates who was caught "red handed" during a sting operation by a television channel and called on other parties to follow suit in the smooth conduct of polls.

In a letter, the in-charge of state office of BSP told the Commission that "acting swiftly, the party changed its candidate from Gangoh seat, Nahid Munawwar Hasan, who was caught red handed on camera during a sting operation".

Other political parties whose candidates have also been found guilty in the sting operation should take similar action, BSP sources said.

All political parties should desist from giving protection to those who try to harm the sanctity of the electoral process through their wrong deeds," they said, adding that BSP is a disciplined party and in the past also it has taken action against office bearers, ministers and MLAs found involved in wrong doings.

Parties need to follow the guidelines set by EC for the smooth and fair conduct of elections, they said.

Last month, a TV channel had carried out a sting operation in which 11 aspiring poll candidates in the state were allegedly found trying to obtain "bribe" from corporates.

The Commission had taken a note and had asked the CEO of Uttar Pradesh to ask its Returning Officers (ROs) in Ghaziabad, Prabudha Nagar, Bijnor, Pilibhit, Moradabad, Saharanpur and JP Nagar districts to register "complaints" against the 11.

PTI