Modi puts gloss on EC decision: Situation normal

The Election Commission, which shot down the BJP government8217;s demand for early elections in Gujarat today, may have cited 8216;8216;s...

The Election Commission, which shot down the BJP government8217;s demand for early elections in Gujarat today, may have cited 8216;8216;situation not normal8217;8217; as the reason behind its decision but the state government remains unconvinced.

8216;8216;The Commission8217;s decision to delay polls on the issue of revision of electoral rolls proves that the law and order situation is normal,8217;8217; a government spokesman said today.

nbsp;	People8217;s victory: Vaghela	nbsp;
GUJARAT: PCC chief Shankersinh Vaghela on Friday said: 8216;8216;This is a major put-down for the BJP government and if they talk of morality, they should step down as caretaker government and recommend President8217;s Rule. The Congress demands immediate imposition of President8217;s Rule in the state.The postponement of elections is not the victory of any party, but it is the victory of the people of Gujarat. I welcome the CEC8217;s decision.8217;8217;

8216;8216;The hue and cry that was raised on the law and order issue has proved to be baseless. Anti-Gujarat forces, who had hatched a conspiracy to defame Gujaratis by showing that a disturbed situation still prevails in the state, have cut a sorry figure,8217;8217; said the official statement.

As soon as Chief Minister Narendra Modi got to know of the EC8217;s stand, he was closeted with senior officials in his Sachivalaya chamber. On being asked for his reaction, officials in the CMO handed over a two-para statement.

Gujarat BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana blamed the Opposition Congress for the EC8217;s decision, saying: 8216;8216;The Congress has hatched a conspiracy to get the elections delayed and thus deprived the electorate of their constitutional right to exercise their franchise. For this, people of the state will give it a befitting reply at the hustings8217;8217;.

Rana said people of the state should have been given an opportunity to elect the government of their choice under Article 174 of the Constitution. Finance and Revenue Minister Nitin Patel said, 8216;8216;When to hold the elections is the Commission8217;s prerogative. The BJP is prepared, whenever they are held.8217;8217; Patel, a close confidante of the CM, ruled out any possibility of the BJP challenging the EC8217;s decision in the Supreme Court.

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He said: 8216;8216;I don8217;t think the delay will blunt the BJP8217;s Hindutva card. We know how to keep its edge sharp till the polls are held.8217;8217; Patel claimed the delay would help the government highlight its 8216;achievements8217; during the poll campaign, and also help implement its schemes more vigorously.

BJP Election Manifesto Implementation Committee chairman Vijay Rupani said: 8216;8216;The CEC has been harsh8230; There has been no violence in the state for the past few months. If elections can be held in J-K where there have been incidents of violence, I cannot understand the idea behind postponing them in Gujarat.8217;8217;