Mira Pandey refuses to comment on TMC leaders' criticism

State Election Commissioner Mira Pandey today refused to join issue with ruling Trinamool Congress leaders in West Bengal critical of her, saying the Commission can't make any "irresponsible" statement since it is a constitutional body.
"I will not go into any discussion on that. The Commission is a constitutional body. We can't make any irresponsible statement," Pandey told reporters here when asked to comment on criticism by some state ministers and TMC leaders.
"Who said what the Commission is not required to reply," she said on persistent questions.
Asked whether she was satisfied with the just concluded five-phase panchayat elections, Pandey said, "There is always a feeling that it would have been better if a particular thing was there. That feeling is there.

"The Commission's main responsibility was to complete the panchayat election in certain phases. There were some problems on which we have to ponder," she said.
On why the Commission could not take any action against Birbhum district TMC president Anubrata Mondal who made provocative speeches during campaigning, Pandey said that the Commission had filed a complaint and the authorities in the district had to take action.
"They have received the complaint, but the issue has not been settled," she added.