Remove Aam Aadmi from all forms of display, EC tells AAP

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

In run up to the municipal elections in Delhi, the State Election Commission has directed the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government and all three municipal commissioners to take action with regards to the removal of the words "Aam Aadmi" from all forms of display across the city prompting a fuming Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to question the directive accusing the State Election Commission of falling prey to the “diktats” of political masters.

Calling the move "arbitrary", AAP convener Dilip Pandey, who today met the State Election Commission officials, claimed the directive is an attempt to “subvert” constitutional provisions at the behest of political leaders and alleged “procedural lapses”.

“The natural process of justice was not followed and after the complaint the government was not called for a hearing,” said Pandey.

On the other side, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the decision, saying its stand is “vindicated”.

The directive seeks removal of the words aam aadmi from all forms of displays, including Aam Aadmi Clinic and Aam Aadmi Express bus service, as demanded by Leader of Opposition Vijendra Gupta who on Monday led a delegation to State Election Commissioner SK Srivastava. The compliance report is to be submitted within 48 hours.

“There was a submission from the Leader of Opposition on violation of Model Code of Conduct regarding removal of the words from government schemes. So, in response we have issued a directive to the Chief Secretary, commissioners of the MCD and the Delhi Police to report compliance to us within 48 hours," said a senior official from the State Election Commission.

On the issue, Pandey submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commissioner to lodge his party’s resentment over the directive on the basis of the opposition party’s objection to use of aam aadmi in government-run schemes — something the AAP claims reflects the BJP’s narrow-mindedness and fear of losing to the AAP.

The AAP leader accused the State Election Commission of “misusing” constitutional position to “appease” the political leaders in power while reminding the commission about its role.

On the same lines, the AAP sought to know from the State Election Commission if it would ask the Chief Secretary to remove the words — “Bhartiya” and “Janata” and “Indian” and “National”— from all government  installations and billboards because they also figure in the names of the BJP and Indian National Congress.

“The constitutional post is being misused at the behest of political leaders and the State Election Commission has said it would look into the procedural lapse and issue an order. Guidelines are in place for the State Election Commission to function and not to give in to political pressure,” Pandey told briefing reporters outside the State Election Commission office.