Plea to EC wants statues of Maya,elephants covered

Over a year after the EC disposed a petition that sought freezing of the BSPs election symbol of elephant as its statues and those of party president Mayawati have been installed in public places,the petitioner has returned to the poll panel seeking appropriate steps to ensure a level playing field in the elections.

I have approached the EC to remind it about paragraph 44 of its order on October 11,2010 and sought the implementation of its order where it had assured a level playing field. It is a self-binding commitment of the Commission and I hope it will abide by it, said Ravi Kant,the petitioner.

The model code of conduct has come into force. The statues of the incumbent CM should be covered as they are disturbing the level playing field assured by the Commission. The statues of elephants should also be covered, said Kant.

The EC,while disposing Kants petition as not maintainable,had assured that at the time of elections,the Commission would take appropriate steps and measures to see that the statutes of Mayawati and BSPs symbol of elephant do not disturb the level playing field and give undue advantage to BSP vis-à-vis other political parties.