Chidambaram’s Criticism of EC Part of ‘Save Rahul” Campaign: BJP

The Election Commission had held off on announcing the Gujarat schedule.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram. 

(Photo: Reuters)

Congress leader P Chidambaram on 20 October criticised the Election Commission saying that by not announcing the Gujarat poll schedule, it has “authorised” Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the dates at his last rally, after all “freebies” for the state were doled out.

The former finance and home minister also claimed the Election Commission will be “recalled” from its “extended holiday” after the Gujarat government has announced all “concessions and freebies”.

The BJP said that Chidambaram’s criticism of the EC was part of the Congress’ ‘save Rahul’ campaign as it fears that a defeat in the election will stall his elevation to the post of party chief.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao defended the EC’s decision of not announcing the Gujarat poll dates with that of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election, saying the Model Code of Conduct is expected to be in force for not more than 45 days and the election in the western state was expected in December.

Chidambaram had tweeted:

The EC had on 12 October announced that polling for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will take place on 9 November, but held off announcing the Gujarat schedule.

The EC had just said the polling in the western state would be held before 18 December.

The Congress had alleged that the government put "pressure" on the poll panel to "delay" the announcement of Gujarat assembly poll schedule to enable the prime minister to act as a "false santa claus" and offer sops and “jumlas” (rhetoric) during his 16 October visit to his home state.

The Model Code of Conduct would have come into immediate effect in Gujarat had the poll schedule been announced along with Himachal Pradesh, the party had said.

Hitting back at the Congress for targeting the EC, BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said allegations levelled against the constitutional body were without any basis.

It is absolutely absurd. It’s like questioning the prudence of the EC. The Congress is perhaps speaking out of its own experience where interference in the functioning of constitutional bodies used to be a thing in their rule. Such is not the case since 2014.

Ravi Shankar Prasad

"Let me also add, this tells that they are jittery about BJP's prospects in the state," Prasad had said.

(With inputs from PTI)