New Delhi/ Chandigarh:
Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi has slammed Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal for asking the Election Commission in the state not to over-step its mandate.
"I am particularly disappointed that you have chosen to communicate with me and the Commission through the media rather than directly for which several channels are always available," wrote Mr Quraishi in a strongly worded reply to the Chief Minister. (Read entire letter)
The Punjab Chief Minister had earlier issued a press statement saying "They (Election Commission) should treat the observance of the model code of election conduct as their primary task and no one should over-step their constitutional mandate."
He had said there is a difference between enforcing the model code of conduct and bringing the whole state to the brink of an administrative paralysis. He reportedly appealed to the CEC to issue necessary directions to its officials to respect this crucial distinction.
Replying to Mr Badal's charges, Mr Quraishi, in his letter, wrote, "Let me assure you that the Commission operates within diligent awareness of its constitutional mandate and recognizes with the greatest respect the operational boundaries between various Constitutional bodies," adding "...the Commission is concerned that you (Mr Badal) have made general allegations of interference against its officials and questioned their conduct without any basis."
Mr Badal's harsh words had come after the Election Commission said that the Punjab Government could not implement the order abolishing octroi on petrol and diesel on the day on which the date for the forthcoming assembly elections in the state was announced.
The polls in Punjab will be held on January 30.
"I am particularly disappointed that you have chosen to communicate with me and the Commission through the media rather than directly for which several channels are always available," wrote Mr Quraishi in a strongly worded reply to the Chief Minister. (Read entire letter)
The Punjab Chief Minister had earlier issued a press statement saying "They (Election Commission) should treat the observance of the model code of election conduct as their primary task and no one should over-step their constitutional mandate."
He had said there is a difference between enforcing the model code of conduct and bringing the whole state to the brink of an administrative paralysis. He reportedly appealed to the CEC to issue necessary directions to its officials to respect this crucial distinction.
Replying to Mr Badal's charges, Mr Quraishi, in his letter, wrote, "Let me assure you that the Commission operates within diligent awareness of its constitutional mandate and recognizes with the greatest respect the operational boundaries between various Constitutional bodies," adding "...the Commission is concerned that you (Mr Badal) have made general allegations of interference against its officials and questioned their conduct without any basis."
Mr Badal's harsh words had come after the Election Commission said that the Punjab Government could not implement the order abolishing octroi on petrol and diesel on the day on which the date for the forthcoming assembly elections in the state was announced.
The polls in Punjab will be held on January 30.
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