EC officials acting on Congress directives,alleges Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati has alleged that new CEC Navin Chawla and EC S Y Quraishi are active members of the Congress coterie.

Launching a scathing attack on the Election Commission,Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday accused the poll body of working on the directions of the Congress and its allies to stop her party BSP from gaining power.

“I would like to say that the EC officials are acting on the directives of the Congress and its allies. The EC under political pressure is trying to stop BSP to gain power despite the party having peoples’ support in its favour,” Mayawati alleged.

She told reporters,”Both members of EC (Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi) are active members of the Congress coterie.

Story continues below this ad

Under such circumstances,free and fair elections are not possible in the country. I strongly condemn the EC tactics.”

Mayawati alleged Quraishi was “biased and is trying to help his political friends in Uttar Pradesh.

“Quraishi has interest in UP as he hails from this state and has number of close relatives here. He is also having good relations with a prominent SP leader and trying to help one of his old friend,who is contesting on a Congress ticket,” she alleged.

Mayawati also alleged that transfer of police officers on Monday in Jaunpur where a candidate was found hanging had “proved apprehensions of former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami regarding integrity of his successor Navin Chawla”.

Story continues below this ad

“Gopalaswami had written a letter to the President doubting the integrity of Chawla and had alleged that his deputy was working as a Congress agent. The Jaunpur transfers had proved that former CEC’s allegations were true,” the BSP supremo said.

She said never in the past such serious allegations have been levelled against any CEC. “Under such circumstances,Chawla should have resigned on his own. Unfortunately that did not happen,” she said.

Mayawati alleged that Quraishi was indulging in activities,which had nothing to do with the poll process.

“Due to his personal interest,Quraishi,instead of visiting states where violence took place in the first phase,is coming to UP again and again and indulging in activities which had nothing to do with the poll process,” she alleged.

Story continues below this ad

Mayawati termed as unfortunate the Election Commissioner’s remarks warning UP officials of serious action.

She added that “Quraishi has personal animosity against some officials of the state.

“Without making any inquiry,Quraishi asked the officials to mend their ways immediately and threatened them to ruin their career. This is very unfortunate. Keeping in view the attitude of the EC,I am sure that the Lok Sabha elections are neither fair nor free,” she said.