"Won't Intervene": Poll Body On Complaint By Congress' Assam Ally
NDTV
The poll body said it had been assured by Mr Basumatary, who said he joined the BJP on April 1, that he done so "willingly (and) without pressure from any quarter"
The Election Commission has refused to intervene in the matter of Rangja Khungur Basumatary - the BPF candidate from Assam's Tamulpur who was allegedly lured to the BJP this week, just days before polling in his constituency and after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. The poll body had been entreated - twice - by BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary to either order voting to be suspended or allow the party to change its candidate for the seat. Earlier today a frustrated Mr Mohilary also approached the Supreme Court seeking postponement of polling in Tamulpur. In a lengthy statement released Sunday evening, the Election Commission said at this stage polling could only be adjourned (or candidates changed) "only in event of death of a candidate". "The complaint (filed by the BPF) has been examined... the Commission is of the considered view that under the extant statutory provisions the matter does not warrant any intervention at this juncture," the poll body said, adding that symbol allocations had already been completed.More Related News