It’s an advisory,take it or leave it: EC on Varun

He said the Commission has not given any directive but only an ‘advisory’.

Asked whether the EC had powers to issue such directives,Gopalaswami shot back “it is not an order,it is an advisory. Is there any ban on giving advice to people?”

Defending the Commission’s action in asking BJP to withdraw Varun’s candidature,Gopalaswami said “we have seen the tape,and are satisfied. Hence,we passed the order (advisory).”

The EC had on Sunday,while condemning Varun Gandhi’s allegedly inflammatory speech with communal overtones,asked BJP not to field him from Pilibhit. The BJP rejected the EC’s advice,maintaining the EC had no jurisdiction to make any suggestions on party candidates.

The Commission has been trying to educate the people about candidates with criminal records since 10 years,Gopalaswami said.

“You (press) have also been writing about it but what happens. Sometimes they get tickets,and win too. If we had powers,it is obvious,we would have gone beyond it”,he said when asked whether the EC should be further empowered.

Gopalaswami declined to comment on Samajawdi Party chief Mulayamm Singh Yadav reportedly threatening Mainpuri District Magistrate.

“I don’t want to offer my reaction without knowing the facts. The issue reached Delhi today and our people are dealing with it”,he said.