CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for relaxing the campaign ban of Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ahead of the third phase of the Assam Assembly elections.
“There is a big question on Election Commission of India’s neutrality. We want the ECI to remove this question. It is not only the poll panel’s duty but a responsibility to the Constitution of India,” a report quoted Yechury as saying.
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The veteran leader said on Sunday that the Congress-led grand alliance will form the government in Assam with a huge majority.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma should have been disqualified for making threatening Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary, but instead the ECI reduced the 48-hour campaigning ban on him to 24 hours,” Yechury said.
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The ECI reduced the ban duration of Sarma after he tendered an “unconditional apology”.
The Congress had earlier approached the ECI with the complaint against Sarma for publicly threatening Mohilary of being sent to jail through NIA if he indulges in “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.
Both CPI(M) and Mohilary’s BPF are partners in the Congress-led grand alliance that was formed to oust the BJP from power in Assam.
The CPI(M) has fielded candidates in two constituencies in the ongoing Assam Assembly elections.
Moreover, the CPI(M) veteran leader also asked the people of Assam to vote against the BJP for its divisive communal politics in the third phase of the Assam Assembly elections on April 6.
“We have to defeat the divisive communal politics of BJP in order to restore balance and harmony in Assam,” Yechury said.
“If the BJP is really worried about Hindus then why doesn’t it speak out for the Hindus whose names have not been included in the National Register of Citizens?” he questioned.
The veteran leader also condemned Assam minister of state for health and family welfare Pijush Hazarika for allegedly threatening two journalists over the phone in regards to airing of a piece of news on the controversial speech made by his wife during an election campaign.
“ECI should take action against Pijush Hazarika as during elections the media should be allowed to operate freely,” Yechury said.