Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Attempt to Denigrate the Election Commission
The BJP’s charge that the Chief Election Commissioner is acting at the behest of the Congress and the opposition parties is an insult to the Election Commission. The statement of the BJP spokesperson, V.K. Malhotra, is nothing but an attempt to denigrate the Commission since it is not willing to accept the dictates of the ruling party. This is for the first time that political motives have been imputed to the Chief Election Commissioner by a party ruling at the Centre.
The decision when to hold the elections in Gujarat is the prerogative of the Election Commission under Article 324 of the Constitution. The BJP has no say in the matter after the dissolution of the Gujarat Assembly.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the stance of the BJP. It should know that it cannot get away with attempts to undermine the institutions which have the authority of the Constitution.