Dissent within EC sign of life at last: Chidambaram

The Opposition Congress on Saturday said that the differences within the Election Commission on giving a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged violation of the poll code of conduct indicated that the poll panel was finally showing signs of life.

“With one member of the EC finding fault with Modi-Shah speeches (speeches by Prime Minister and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party) and dissenting from the other two, the Election Commission is finally showing some signs of life!” senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram posted on Twitter.

He was apparently reacting to reports that one of the two Election Commissioners disagreed with the Chief Election Commissioner and another counterpart on absolving the Prime Minister for alleged violation of the poll code.

The Congress has been criticising the EC for being biased towards the BJP.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reiterated the party's allegation that the EC had been “completely biased” towards the BJP.

“Closer to May 6, 12 and 19 (remaining phases of polling), the Election Commission may actually reprimand Mr Modi and Mr Shah. That means the fear of Modi-Shah is finally weakening,” tweeted Chidambaram.

By majority decision

The Commission comprises Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and two Election Commissioners - Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra.

The poll panel's clean chit to the Prime Minister was by majority decision as one of the three commissioners dissented.

“I hope other institutions and the media will also shed the fear of Modi-Shah and assert their independence,” added the former finance minister.

EC sources, however, contended that all decisions were "unanimous" on record as the Commission decided after discussion.