Removal of officials: Maya lashes out at EC
Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, April 8
Reacting strongly to the Election Commission of India’s decision to summarily remove the state’s principal secretary home, chief minister Mayawati today warned that the EC and not the state government would be responsible if any untoward incident took place during election time. “If there is a terrorist attack, communal disturbance or if there is any mishap during my or any other political leader’s election meeting in the state then my government would not be responsible. The blame would lie directly with the Election Commission,”said Mayawati.

On Tuesday, the EC had ordered the removal of principal secretary home Kunwar Fateh Bahadur Singh and has sought a panel of three officers from the state government for his replacement.

The EC also removed three Station House Officers in Gorkahpur.

Earlier, both the DM and SP of Pilibhit had been removed and the ADM and ASP suspended after the delay in filing of cases against BJP Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi for his reported hate speeches became apparent.

According to Mayawati, the decision of the EC to remove the principal secretary home for “political reasons” has demoralised the bureaucracy. “My government is determined to ensure the complete implementation of the model code of conduct and a free and fair poll but removal of officers without proper investigations proves to dampen their morale.

“If the EC finds any shortcoming in the performance of my officers it should bring the facts to my government’s notice and it would be addressed without delay. Removing officers who are working diligently is not just done”, she alleged.

While the EC has asked for a panel of names for the replacement of the principal secretary home and even earlier for the DM and SP of Pilibhit, the chief minister also expressed her anger against unilateral appointments.