Dismissing the BJP’s allegations of being partisan, the Election Commission on Thursday strongly justified the Varanasi Returning Officer’s decision of denying permission to Narendra Modi’s rally in the city saying it was taken due to “professional advice on security related matters” and asserted it was “not afraid of anyone, any political party or any entity” in discharging its duty.
Addressing a hurriedly-convened Press conference, Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath also ruled out the removal of the Returning Officer (RO), who is also the Varanasi District Magistrate (DM), as demanded by the BJP. He said “as of today, we do not find the action fault worthy”.
Sampath said the RO had denied permission to the rally on the “basis of professional advice” and there was no need for the Election Commission (EC) to “deviate” from it. “When security and suitability issues are involved, the EC naturally will go by the professional advice taken at the district level,” Sampath said.
“The competent local authority, the DM and his team, took the decision taking into consideration relevant professional advice on security,” he said. Flanked by the other two Election Commissioners, Sampath expressed disappointment over the BJP’s attack, saying: “Certain harsh and sweeping statements” were made and asked political parties to “show greater maturity”.
“The EC is the body created under the Constitution and one of the pillars of democracy. The Constitution has given enough powers to the commission to perform its duties boldly and impartially,” the CEC said.
Dismissing allegations of “lack of neutrality”, he said, “EC has satisfaction in the job it has been doing and we will continue to do so to uphold the Constitution. The credibility, neutrality and impartiality of the EC is a national heritage.”
Asked about the demands made by several political parties, including the BJP, for removal of certain ROs, the CEC said: “We don’t transfer officials on small complaints. We, however, investigate those complaints at our own level and transfer officials if the grievance is true.”