Cong attacks EC: Shameful fall for a constitutional body

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 15

The Congress today launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission for deciding to curtail the campaign in West Bengal, saying the decision indicated a shameful fall for a once constitutional body.

“Today is a dark day in the history of democracy. EC’s order on West Bengal negates the due process under Article 14 and 21 and abdicates its constitutional duty under Article 324 to ensure level playing field. This is an unpardonable betrayal of the Constitution,” Congress media head Randeep Surjewala said today.

He said: “Over 11 complaints are filed with the EC against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah but no action is taken. Violence is done by the BJP and intimidation by Shah but no action is taken,” Surjewala said.

He condemned the EC’s decision to permit Modi’s rallies on May 16 and ban all others. “This is a shameful fall for a once independent constitutional body,” he added.

‘BJP encouraging mobocracy’

"A new politics where mobocracy is being actively encouraged and abetted by BJP has gained ground in five years. PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are squarely responsible for damaging the cultural identity of each state."— Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress spokesman