The Election Commission on Monday barred Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning for 72 hours and Union minister Maneka Gandhi from campaigning for 48 hours their speeches.

The action comes at the end of a day that started with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath being barred from campaigning for 72 hours for communal remarks. BSP chief Mayawati, too, has been barred from campaigning for 48 hours, starting 6 am on April 16.

Khan was under the poll panel's lens for making derogatory remarks against BJP candidate from Rampur, Jaya Prada, while Maneka had implied that if Muslims did not vote for her, it would be difficult for them to get work done later.