The Hindu : National : Why different yardsticks for different States, CPI(M) asks EC

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Why different yardsticks for different States, CPI(M) asks EC

Special Correspondent

Party cites circular permitting government staff to participate in RSS activities

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India(Marxist) on Thursday sought a clarification from the Election Commission on the two-phase Assembly elections in Gujarat on December 11 and 16, claiming that the Commission was “applying different yardsticks” to different States.

History of violence

In a statement here, the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) said that Gujarat which had seen large-scale communal violence and an atmosphere of intimidation of the minorities required only two-phase polling, when in the May 2006 Assembly elections in Kerala three-phase polling was ordered. “Kerala had always had only one-day polling with no history of poll violence and malpractice,” it said.

West Bengal elections

“In West Bengal not only was there an unprecedented five-phase poll but the Election Commission also made efforts to bring in polling personnel from outside the State. The reason ostensibly being that the government employees of the State have political affiliations,” it said.

“Is it the Commission’s contention that in Gujarat the RSS and its outfits like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad are not entrenched among government employees? One has only to recall the circular earlier issued by the State government permitting government employees to participate in RSS activities,” it pointed out.

Norms violated

The Commission had violated federal norms to decide that the State police cannot be deployed in polling booths in West Bengal and only Central para-military forces can undertake duties. “Why is it that the Commission has not considered this step in Gujarat where the communal bias of certain sections of the police are well known and documented,” the CPI(M) asked.

“The Chief Election Commissioner would do well to enlighten the country on why different yardsticks are being applied?” it said.

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