Chidambaram slams EC for not announcing Gujarat poll schedule

The Congress had alleged that the government had pressurised the poll panel to “delay” the announcement of Gujarat assembly poll schedule

Former Home Minister P Chidambaram attacked the Election Commission (EC) and accused it of going on an "extended holiday" for the delay in announcing dates for Gujarat elections.

In a couple of tweets, laced with sarcasm, Mr Chidamabaram said,"EC has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally (and kindly keep EC informed)."

A day after Diwali, the senior Congress leader tweeted, "EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies."

As soon as dates of elections are announced, the model code of conduct comes into force and state governments cannot announce popular schemes that appear to be sops for voters.

Last week, the Commission announced the dates for Himachal Pradesh, a Congress ruled state, and told the media that Gujarat dates would be announced at a later date even though dates were expected to be announced simultaneously.

The delay in announcing the dates for Gujarat by the poll panel has come in for sharp criticism from the Congress and this morning tweets by Mr. Chidamabaram clearly questions the autonomy of the EC.

The Congress argued that any delay in announcing poll dates gives the BJP government in Gujarat more elbow room to announce sops without violating the model code of conduct.

Former Election Commissioners have also argued that the decision goes against the spirit of holding simulataneous elections. “I am quite surprised by the EC’s decision as the Gujarat Assembly also expires around the same time as Himachal Pradesh. Why didn’t they club it?” Mr. Quraishi had earlier told The Hindu.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has hit back and said it was "baseless to make such allegations against the Constitutional body."