NDA delegation demands more security for their candidates in UP

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) Drawing attention to ''serious security lapses'' in Uttar Pradesh, a three-member NDA delegation called on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswamy here today and demanded special measures in Gunnaur where they alleged unfair means were used by the SP supremo in the last polls.

The NDA members demanded special measures by the EC in Gunnaur, where they alleged those opposed to Mulayam Singh Yadav were not allowed to vote in the 2002 pollsand he won by a margin of 1,85,000 votes.

The delegation also mentioned that the JD(U) candidates, pitted against Mafia candidates like D P yadav in Sahaswan in Badaun and Mukhtar Ansari in Mau, were not been provided proper security cover despite their opponents' backgrounds.

The delegation also pointed out that JD(U) National President Sharad Yadav's helicopter was not given permission to land at the Badaun police lines, where he was to address an election rally, on April 14 despite the party having already received permission.

Following the denial, Mr Yadav was forced to land in a remote vacant plot without any security cover.

The delegation pointed out that on the contrary, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was allowed to land at the same venue, which was a ''total violation of all election norms''.

They said ''this kind of discriminatory attitude was beyond comprehension.'' The meeting was attended by the other two Election Commissioners Naveen Chawla and S Y Quershi. Among the NDA memers were JD(U) General Secretary and party spokesman Shambhu Shrivastava , party General Secretary Javed Raza and BJP Spokesman Prakash Javdekar.

Later talking to newspersons, Dr Srivastava said the Commission had assured them that it would take all necessary steps to ensure a free and fair election in Gunnaur and other places.

UNI