The observation of the Madras High Court on Monday, implicating the Election Commission of India (ECI) singularly responsible for spreading Covid-19 and that murder charges should probably be imposed on it for its “irresponsible” behaviour, fuelled the Opposition parties to simultaneously target both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and election watchdog totally responsible for the deadly second surge.
Both Congress and Trinamool Congress were quick to react to the High Court's reaction.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is facing a bitter poll battle against the high pitched poll campaign by BJP, welcomed the Madras High Court’s observations. She took the opportunity to also demand withdrawal of central forces to contain Covid spread in West Bengal in the next phase of polling.“I welcome the Madras High Court order, which clearly said the EC cannot escape its responsibility. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EC are responsible for the (current) situation (of Covid spreading in the state),” Banerjee alleged at a workers’ meeting in Kolkata.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is facing a bitter poll battle against the high pitched poll campaign by BJP, welcomed the Madras High Court’s observations. She took the opportunity to also demand withdrawal of central forces to contain Covid spread in West Bengal in the next phase of polling.“I welcome the Madras High Court order, which clearly said the EC cannot escape its responsibility. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EC are responsible for the (current) situation (of Covid spreading in the state),” Banerjee alleged at a workers’ meeting in Kolkata.
Congress on its part welcomed the observation and the outrage shown by the Madras High Court, but it felt it was a little late in the day. It recalled how as Opposition the leaders used to meet the CEC with faith and belief that the commission will ensure a level playing field. "I am not surprised at the outrage shown by Lordships at Madras HC. What’s shocking is the time it took to call the bluff. Look at the double standards of Election Commission that 404 Assembly seats can poll on a single day April 6, but they required eight phases polling for 294 seats in West Bengal. And it’s planned in a manner that it begins from the area where BJP had done well in Lok Sabha 2019, perhaps to help build up a perception favourable to one party," said AICC Secretary Pranav Jha.
Lauding the memorable observation of the court which was need of the hour to tame public institutions and make them understand their responsibilities, Pranav questioned the distinction as how on one hand PM, Home Minister and several Union Ministers were holding rallies and road shows without following the Covid protocols and on the other the Delhi High court advised individuals driving their vehicles alone without a mask."There are too many examples. We take pride in our leaders when former party chief Rahul Gandhi called off his election meetings in the wake of rising cases and people were in panic mode. Atleast then also the ruling side and other political parties did not acknowledged his call and conducted huge public rallies," said Jha who is also the AICC, Secretary, In-charge of Communication .
Criticising the ECI for not stopping political parties from violating the Covid protocols, the first bench of Madras High court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said, “You (ECI) are the only institution responsible for the situation that we are in today.”“You have been singularly lacking any kind of exercise of authority. You have not taken measures against political parties holding rallies despite every order of this court saying ‘maintain Covid protocol, maintain Covid protocol’,” the court said, asking whether the poll watchdog “was on another planet when poll rallies were held”.The court further said that it would issue orders to stop counting if ECI fails to prepare a blueprint before May 2 on how Covid protocols will be maintained during the process. This needs to be done to ensure that “this state does not succumb to your idiosyncrasies any further,” the HC said.