Wary Cong snubs Laloo on his anti-EC campaign

By administering this public snub on Laloo, the Congress has signalled that it will not put up with his pressure tactics any longer. Party managers seem confident that Laloo, in the absence of a choice, will not desert the UPA. The RJD leader is already apprehensive about Congress’ designs in Bihar. Nor is the working of Governor Buta Singh to his liking. But the Congress has apparently taken a calculated risk.

After being led by Laloo into controversy after controversy, the Congress, has no inclination to back his latest adventure — against a constitutional authority and cheering an IAS officer whose own conduct is questionable.

Also, after criticising the BJP in the past for its attacks on constitutional authorities, the Congress finds no reason to attract a similar criticism now. Unless impeached, the election commissioners are here to stay.

As for Laloo, who is already unhappy with the Congress’ role in Bihar, this affront will be difficult to digest. It is too early to speculate on his future course but his ties with the Congress have definitely been strained.

While Laloo tried to fan the controversy by stalling Parliament on the issue, Bhardwaj, known for his proximity to 10 Janpath, deflated his campaign outside. He told reporters: ‘‘I have no such letter (from Saptarishi).’’

By denying its receipt, the Law Minister has put a question mark on Saptarishi’s bona fides. And has left it to Laloo to explain how he received a copy of the letter addressed by an IAS officer to another Cabinet minister.

Bhardwaj has also passed the buck to Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh of the RJD. ‘‘I can not tell you if there is any other minister under whom he is working and he has that letter. He can certainly call for his (Saptarishi’s) explanation,’’ he said. Hinting at some disciplinary action, Bhardwaj said: ‘‘It is not proper for a civil servant to criticise any constitutional authority.’’

Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma put the party’s opposition to Laloo’s drive in black and white. ‘‘The EC is a constitutional authority. Its sanctity has to be maintained. It has to be kept out of political controversy,’’ Sharma said.

On Saptarishi, he said, ‘‘There is a procedure for an officer writing a letter to a minister. An IAS officer has to send his letter to a minister through the Cabinet Secretary.’’

Prove your integrity, Ramadoss tells EC

: Terming as disappointing the decision of the Election Commission not to respond to the allegations levelled by senior IAS officer LV Saptarishi against its commissioners BB Tandon and N Gopalaswamy, PMK leaders S Ramadoss said dodging the issue would in no way uphold the autonomy, integrity and sanctity of the Commission.

In a statement issued here, Ramadoss said charges that the decision of the two commissioners to order repoll in Bihar was shaped by caste considerations would damage the credibility of the EC.

‘‘The two commissioners should have come forward to face the inquiry and come clean like Sita in Ramayana,’’ he said.

Stating that the integrity of Sapatarishi, who levelled the charged against the two commissioners, had been appreciated by the EC itself, Ramadoss said the the Election Commission should accept the challenge of Saptarishi and prove their innocence.