TN taking 'confrontationist approach' on CoP issue

Chennai, Mar 24 (UNI) The Election Commission today told the Madras High Court that the Tamil Nadu government had taken a 'confrontationist approach' over it's order to transfer Commissioner of Police R Nataraj for showering praises on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa when the model code of conduct was in force.

Senior Counsel G Rajagopal, appearing for the EC, made the above submission when a batch of petitions challenging the commission order came up for hearing before a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice P K Misra and Mr Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifullah here, He said the commission was entrusted with the task of conducting a free and fair polls. The views of the EC pertaining to an officer should be accepted by the state government.

Though Mr Rajagopal concluded his arguments, the Bench posted further hearing to March 27 for other intervenors to make their submissions.

During the arguments, Mr Rajagopal said the EC was not holding elections to one party but for the State Assembly. Hence it should take all steps to hold it.

If it finds any obstruction, it can proceed to remove it as any breakdown in law and order during elections can lead to its cancellation and repoll will have to be ordered.

It cannot take the risk. Therefore, the EC had taken some steps.

After all, it had asked the state not to give any election work to Mr Nataraj. It did not punish him, he added.

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