Congress on Sunday criticised Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for raising doubts over the credibility of the Election Commission and stood behind the poll body for its independence. It also said the tone and tenor of such statements are not appreciable in public discourse.
Criticising Khan for his statement that the Election Commission is acting at the behest of Congress party, AICC Secretary K C Mittal said, "All such allegations are baseless and a figment of his imagination."
Mittal, who is also the in-charge of the party's legal cell, said the Commission is as an independent constitutional authority and has even issued orders against Congress.
"The Commission as an independent authority, is competent to take action against all or any party in its wisdom. The tone and tenor of Khan's statement is not appreciable in public discourse," he said.
In Rampur, Khan told reporters that instead of considering his feelings the Election Commission is trying to become like CBI and be a "slave" of the Congress. "Congress was supported by SP for 10 years in stopping the fascist forces, they have decided to harm the SP. EC's decision to mute my voice and stopping freedom of expression is dangerous for the democracy," Khan said, adding this is dangerous for the democracy.
The SP leader also said that the EC should prove itself to be "non-partisan". "Because if it does not give us justice, we will be forced to go to the law of the land." Ghaziabad police had on Saturday booked the close aide of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, for his alleged inflammatory speech over Kargil War.
On April 7, Khan during his party rally in Muslim- dominated Masuri area, had said that victory against Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil conflict was made possible because of Muslim soldiers and not by Hindus.
The Election Commission had on April 11 banned him from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh and had asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against him. Modi's close aide Amit Shah was also booked by UP police for his alleged revenge speech and banned by the EC from campaigning.
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