New Delhi, Oct 13: Poll panel decision goes against the “spirit of simultaneous polls," the former Chief Election Commissioner says
Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi said the Election Commission’s decision to not announce the dates for Assembly polls for Gujarat even as it announced the dates for Himachal Pradesh, created a “ground of suspicion” as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Gujarat next week.
The term of both the Gujarat and Himachal assemblies come to an end in January 2018. The model code of conduct comes into effect the moment the EC announces the poll dates, barring the Government from announcing any new scheme or project.
Mr. Quraishi said the EC’s decision also went against the “spirit of simultaneous polls.”
‘Unfortunate action’
“What were the compulsions of EC to announce the poll dates for Himachal and not Gujarat? They must have some good reasons to justify this. Mr. Modi’s visit to Gujarat next week creates a ground of suspicion and its unfortunate,” he said.
Mr. Modi is expected to address booth level workers of the BJP at Bhat village on the outskirts of Gandhinagar next week.
“I am quite surprised by the EC’s decision as the Gujarat Assembly also expires around the same time as Himachal Pradesh. Why didn’t they club it?” said Mr. Quraishi.

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