Mayawati attacks EC, accuses it of working on Cong directions

Launching a scathing attack on the Election Commission, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today accused the poll body of working on the directions of the Congress and its allies to stop her party BSP from gaining power.

"I would like to say that the EC officials are acting on the directives of the Congress and its allies. The EC under political pressure is trying to stop BSP to gain power despite the party having peoples' support in its favour," Mayawati alleged.

She told reporters, "Both members of EC (Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi) are active members of the Congress coterie. Under such circumstances, free and fair elections are not possible in the country. I strongly condemn the EC tactics."

Mayawati alleged Quraishi was "biased and is trying to help his political friends in Uttar Pradesh.

"Quraishi has interest in UP as he hails from this state and has number of close relatives here. He is also having good relations with a prominent SP leader and trying to help one of his old friend, who is contesting on a Congress ticket," she alleged.

Mayawati also alleged that transfer of police officers yesterday in Jaunpur where a candidate was found hanging had "proved apprehensions of former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami regarding integrity of his successor Navin Chawla".