'EC empowered to derecognise BJP on CD issue'

Varanasi, Apr 10: Reiterating his demand for derecognition of BJP as a political party for releasing a controversial CD, former Prime Minister V P Singh today said the EC was empowered to cancel the registration of the saffron party.

''The EC should promptly derecognise BJP as a political party for releasing a CD, which is likely to fan communal passions in the country,'' Mr Singh told newspersons here.

Reacting to the BJP claim that the EC was not empowered to end the recogntion of any political party, Mr Singh said ''it is false as EC has all requisite powers to derecognise any party, which violates provisions of law.'' ''By coming out with the concerned CD, the BJP has not only violated the provsions of the Representation of People Act, but also violated Indian Penal Code. It should be punished for violating both the laws and the EC should promptly derecognise it as a political party,'' the former PM demanded.

''In the recent past many MPs and MLAs have been disqualified for violating the RP Act and hence the EC has every right to derecognise the BJP.''

UNI