BJP hails EC on tough stand

Panaji, May 23 (UNI) The BJP today hailed the toughness with which the Election Commission of India has been working in Goa to ensure ''free and fair'' elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly on June 2.

Interacting with mediapersons here, former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar pooh-poohed the Congress criticism of the functioning of the Commission, vindicating its desperation as the party finds itself on the ''slippery ground with losing wicket'' in the elections.

The Commission has to act tougher two or three days before the election date so that the abuse of money power and muscle power was prevented.

The Commission was acting on its own ''wisdom'' and independent information to check use of money and muscle power in the polls on a large scale by the Congress particularly in Taleigao and Santa Cruz constituencies where UGDP nominees Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate and his wife Jennifer are contesting respectively, Mr Parrikar said.

He also made it clear that the BJP had nothing to do with the DIG Ujjwal Mishra and DSP Umesh Gaonkar being stripped off their election duties at the instance of the Election Commission, saying it was nothing when compared to the crackdown on top bureaucrats during elections to Punjab and UP.

''It is their prerogative and constitutional obligation to discharge their duties effectively to ensure free and fair polls,'' Mr Parrikar added.

UNI