BJP says Congress is attempting to dilute powers of Election Commission

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yashwant Sinha on Wednesday accused ruling Congress of attempting to dilute the powers of Election Commission.

The storm over the issue gathered up after Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said that the central government is planning to discuss electoral reforms at the all-party meeting after the conclusion of elections in the five states.

It is reportedly said a proposal that could amount to taking away the powers of the Election Commission (EC) to enforce the Model Code of Conduct may be considered as part of the agenda for the electoral reforms.

"I think this very questionable attempt by the government to dilute the powers of the Election Commission through the backdoor, by giving the impression that actually they are strengthening the Model Code of Conduct, has to be nipped in the bud. And I think all political parties apart from the Election Commission should stand up and oppose this move of the government," said Sinha.

The proposed move by the central government is being seen by many as an attempt to curb the powers of the EC.

Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi earlier had termed this as an attack on the powers and privileges of the electoral body.

If implemented then it would take away the rights to file complaints pertaining to violation of the Model Code of Conduct out of the purview of EC and bring them before courts of law.

Sinha also took a dig at the incumbent government's particularized decision over creation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), that limits state powers to deal with militancy.

"We are against the centre mounting this assault on the federal principles enshrined in our constitution. The states are responsible for law and order and whether it is extremism, its terrorism, it is a law and order problem of any other kind. While there could be cooperation between the Government of India and the state governments and between among the state governments there is no reason why their fundamental right enshrined in the constitution should be taken away," added Sinha. (ANI)