Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly spoke in defence of the Election Commission and while doing so, indirectly expressed his displeasure against his own Cabinet minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
While in Russia, Dr Singh asked for all the details of the controversy over 'unsubstantiated remarks' of L V Saptarishi, who accused two election commissioners in conspiring with the Bharatiya Janata Party to countermand polls in Chapra constituency.
He was former special observer in Bihar for last year's Lok Sabha elections.
As soon as Saptarishi came out with his allegations before the press, railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav demanded the resignation of the two election commissioners, B B Tandon and N Gopalaswamy.
Dr Singh, while talking to the press on board a special flight from Moscow, said, "I have learnt from the media of the controversy generated by a letter regarding the conduct of ECs. The law minister has gone on record saying he has not received any such letter."
While strongly defending the institution he said, "The EC is a constitutional body which has played a critical and positive role in the successful functioning of our democracy. Since independence, it has had an impeccable track record of conducting elections and is widely respected for its work."
He said, "India is emerging on the global scenario as a confident, progressive and rapidly growing economy, which has managed to build a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious society within a democratic framework. It is this success of India in harmoniously managing the dual processes of economic development and democratic governance that is being seen by many as a role model for the world."
During the PM's meeting with United States President George Bush last year in New York, Bush had praised the EC's work and had asked Dr Singh to help his official understand the mechanism of election voting machines developed by the EC.
Bush had expressed interest in using these machines in the Iraq elections.
The EC had also participated in the Afghanistan election process.
Dr Singh, who was more concerned about the credibility factor of the EC, said, "In this context, it is important that the entire nation understand the importance of constitutional institutions such as the EC for their contribution to earning India the respect and admiration of the world. It is incumbent on all to ensure that these institutions are respected, their sanctity maintained and their autonomy preserved in a manner that will ensure that they continue to contribute to our democratic life."
He said, "This responsibility rests both with those within the institutions and outside. It is in this perspective that all issues should be examined. Nothing should be done which can lead to an unwanted weakening of our democratic institutional fabric."
The government has issued Saptarishi a show cause notice on the matter on Tuesday.
Also read:
Russia promises to boost India's N-energy sector
More from rediff