No rap but EC unhappy with Arjun’s comments

In its carefully worded letter to the HRD Minister, the Commission said that it was aware that ‘‘circumstantial evidence’’, which it has against him, ‘‘cannot completely substitute for conclusive proof’’. And, that was why the ‘‘Commission restrains itself from pronouncing an adverse finding of violation of model code of conduct by Arjun Singh’’.

But it also noted that in Singh’s case, ‘‘the Commission has come to the sad conclusion’’ that he was not perceived to have complied with the provisions of the model code restraining ruling parties from announcing policies that could influence voters.

‘‘In the upholding of the model code of conduct, the party and persons in power have for obvious reasons have a higher responsibility and they are expected not only to uphold it but also be perceived to be doing so,’’ the EC said.

The EC came to this conclusion after studying Singh’s explanation and giving him a personal hearing at his request. The controversy was created after Singh was reported to have announced the proposal at a press conference while Assembly elections were on.