Surprised that ECI responded to my INDIA bloc letter but ignored complaints I raised before it, says Kharge
The Hindu
Congress president Kharge criticizes Election Commission for ignoring complaints of communal statements and delays in voter turnout data release.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on May 11 said it is surprising that the Election Commission of India (ECI) chose to respond to a letter he wrote to INDIA bloc leaders but ignored several other complaints he raised directly to it.
In a letter addressed to the CEC and other election commissioners, he said the poll panel is showing no urgency in dealing with “blatantly communal and casteist” statements being made by leaders of the ruling party and this is puzzling.
In response to the letter written by Mr. Kharge to INDIA bloc leaders expressing concerns over ECI’s delay in releasing voter turnout figures for first two phases of polls, the Commission had on May 10 called it an attempt to push a biased narrative under the guise of seeking clarifications.
Mr. Kharge, in his response, said it was an open letter clearly addressed to the alliance partners and not to the Commission.
“It is surprising that the Election Commission of India wanted to respond to this letter while ignoring several other complaints given directly to it. I have certain misgivings about the language of the letter, but I will not press on that issue as I understand the pressures they are working under,” Mr. Kharge said in his letter sent to the poll panel on May 11.
He said the ECI letter on the one hand says the Commission respects citizens' right to ask questions and on the other hand, "threatens citizens in the form of an advise to exercise caution".
"I am happy that the Commission understands that it has the mandate to conduct smooth, free and fair elections under the constitution. However, the lack of urgency shown by the Commission in taking action against blatantly communal and casteist statements being made by the leaders of the ruling party that vitiates the electoral process seems puzzling," Mr. Kharge said.
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