BJP raising Chawla issue to delay EC's decision: Sibal

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) Mr Kapil Sibal, senior Congress leader and convenor of the Congress media committe for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, today alleged that by raising the issue of Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla in the hearing on the BJP's CD case the party somehow wanted to delay the E C's decision so as to distribute the CD among the voters.

He told mediapersons here that the BJP had not made a mention of this issue in its reply to the petitions made by various political parties, including the Congress, to the Election Commission and the BJP had raised its objection to Mr Chawla being included in the hearing after two hours. Hence it was not proper on the part of the BJP to raise the issue of Mr Chawla.

Mr Sibal recalled that Mr Chawla as the Election Commissioner had always been taking decisions but the BJP never objected to it.

He pointed out that that it was the State Government which had filed an FIR in the CD case which was followed by another FIR by the Election Commission. It was not the Congress which had raised this matter hence to say that an Election Commissioner could not hear the petitions was not proper.

Mr Sibal said it was for the police to investigate the matter as to who all were behind the CD and who shold be punished for this offence.

The Union Minister for Science and Technology said if it was established that the CD had been brought out with the consent of the top leadership of the BJP,then the Election Commission was within its powers to derecognise the party and the party office bearers and those contesting the Assembly elections could face criminal action.

"The law will take its course and the consequences will follow," Mr Sibal said, asserting that it was absolutely improper to accuse the Election Commissioner of being biased.

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