You thanked us in 07: EC to Maya

The Election Commission has stoutly defended the removal of Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary Home Fateh Bahadur Singh even as Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday launched a virulent attack on the EC for its decision.

8220;We are guided by the 8216;perception of neutrality8217;; we are not a court where concrete evidence must be produced before any action can be taken. More so,the said official was holding important positions of Principal Secretary Home and Personnel,8221; EC sources said on Wednesday. The EC order followed a visit of the three-member poll panel to Lucknow in March to oversee poll preparations where it was petitioned by Opposition parties on 8220;partial conduct of some officers in the state government8221;.

On Mayawati8217;s charges of 8220;unjustified action by EC8221;,senior Commission officials pointed out that on the eve of 2007 Assembly elections in the state,the poll panel had ordered transfer of a range of top officials in the state,which prompted Mayawati to 8220;profusely thank the Commission8221;.

Asked about her specific charge that the removal was unjustified,deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan refused to comment. 8220;The Commission does not want to give any comment on it,8221; he said.