Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Poll panel is prejudiced” (May 9). The denial of permission, by the Election Commission of India, to BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to hold a rally at Varanasi is biased. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi held a road-show on the last day of the poll campaign at Varanasi where thousands congregated. This was followed by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s rally. Why does the EC have different standards for different partiesIJ
The poll panel is expected to be impartial towards all candidates irrespective of their political affiliations. The EC’s conduct is surprising since rarely in the history of Indian election has the poll panel been accused of such partisan behaviour. The independent body has been given full freedom to function judiciously; it needs to be released from the clutches of political powers.