EC lost its credibility and independence, says Congress

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence and said time has come to review the process of the poll panel’s appointment. New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence and said time has come to review the process of the poll panel’s appointment. Asking whether the model code of conduct had become the “Modi code of misconduct”, Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Election Commission order curtailing campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours is a “dark spot” on India’s democracy and institutions like the poll panel.In the first such action in India’s electoral history, the poll panel on Wednesday invoked Article 324 of the Constitution to end campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies at 10 pm on Thursday, a day before its scheduled deadline, following violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata.    “The Election Commission has completely abdicated its Constitutional duty under Article 324 to ensure a level playing field, besides negating the due process under Article 14 and 21 of India’s Constitution,” Surjewala told reporters in a blistering attack against the Election Commission. “Time has come to review the process of appointment of Election Commission. Should it only remain an appendage to the ruling dispensation or is it a constitutional body which is so intrinsically important to our democracy that its appointment requires to be mandated and tapered through a fair, transparent process like in many other cases?” he asked. The debate, in his view, must happen for democracy to thrive and survive and the the entire process of appointment of the Election Commission needs to be reviewed. “But we are deeply saddened to say that Election Commission of India has completely lost its independence and abdicated its Constitutional integrity,” the Congress leader added. It appears the Election Commission action is a “parting gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to ensure Modi’s two pre-announced election rallies in Mathurapur and Dum Dum on Thursday are not hit, Surjewala alleged. Surjewala said the Congress filed over 11 complaints with the poll panel against Modi and Shah. Despite clear dissent in the Election Commission ranks and “clear cut case of brazen violation of MCC (model code of conduct), it meekly surrendered to the whims of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah”, he alleged. “Has the MCC now become ‘Modi Code of Misconduct’ to be applied to BJP’s political opponents, with total immunity for the PM and the BJP president?,” he asked. The Congress leader said the unchecked and brazen violence and arson by the BJP in the West Bengal capital on May 14 deserved strict action against Shah. “But the toothless wonder of an institution EC gave the BJP a huge advantage by only prohibiting campaign after pre-announced two election rallies on May 16 by PM Modi get over. Does the EC now take orders from the BJP headquarters rather than from the mandate of the Constitution?” he asked. (PTI)