EC order backs our stand: NDA

The parliamentary party meeting of the NDA today welcomed the Election Commission order barring political parties from issuing a directive or whip to their legislatures to abstain from voting in the presidential election.

The parliamentary party meeting of the NDA today welcomed the Election Commission order barring political parties from issuing a directive or whip to their legislatures to abstain from voting in the presidential election.

Leader of Opposition L K Advani interpreted the EC order as a vindication its position that a member is free to vote, irrespective of his party8217;s position, without attracting provisions of the anti-defection law. The NDA had moved the EC after the UNPA declared that its members will abstain from voting in the presidential election. Advani wrote to the EC that some members were 8220;desirous8221; of voting, but feared disqualification, and sought a clarification from the EC.

8220;We are very happy about the EC decision and our stand is vindicated. Political parties cannot stop their members from going to vote,8221; Advani told the meeting which was called a day ahead of the presidential polls. Members were briefed about the voting procedure for the elections.

The BJP8217;s interpretation of the EC verdict is only of academic value because the order also makes it clear that political parties can 8220;appeal8221; and 8220;canvass8221; voters to abstain. The restriction is only on 8220;directive8221; and 8220;whip8221;, which will be considered an undue influence. BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said the EC order would force UNPA to retract from its declaration to abstain. 8220;They will have to leave it to the choice of individual members. Otherwise it will constitute undue influence as per EC directive,8221; Prasad said.

Meanwhile, Sushma Swaraj, spokesperson for NDA-backed Independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, said the political future of the Third Front at the national level was at stake after its abstention call, terming the move as an 8220;unpardonable offense8221;. 8220;Remaining neutral when you are expected to take sides is an unpardonable offense, which gets recorded in history,8221; she said. Swaraj said the regional parties would have to be either with the Congress or with the BJP to be relevant at the national level. 8220;You can do this non-BJP, non-Congress politics in regions. But at the national level, you will be required to take a position either way,8221; she said.

Samajwadi Party says it did not issue whip

NEW DELHI: Following the Election Commission directive, the Samajwadi Party, which has decided to abstain from the presidential poll, on Wednesday clarified that it has not issued any directive or whip to its legislators for the presidential poll. 8220;I must clarify that our party has not issued any whip or directive to our MPs and MLAs for the forthcoming presidential poll. But, our party members are well aware of the political situation and know how to go about the poll,8221; said Mohan Singh, the SP chief whip in the Loksabha. Singh criticised the EC for entertaining the BJP plea.