Maya must think before slamming EC order, retorts Quraishi

Talking tough, Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Wednesday said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati should think before criticising the EC order to cover her statues and Bahujan Samaj Party's poll symbols in government parks.

"She is a senior leader. What can I say? She should think before making such comments," Quraishi told mediapersons in New Delhi when asked about Mayawati's criticism on the Election Commission order to cover statues of BSP's poll symbol 'elephant' and those of her own.

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Quraishi said such comments should not be made because other political parties may also demand raising pedestals in government parks for displaying their poll symbols.

"What reply can we give then?," he asked. The CEC said the poll authority creates a level playing field for all political parties when elections are declared.

"We also ask to remove photographs of chief ministers, the prime minister and ruling party leaders in government offices. We ask the photos to be covered if they cannot be removed," he pointed out.

"Should we not cover the symbol of a political party or (the statue) of its leader just because it is big in size and spectacular?," Quraishi asked.

Mayawati had dubbed the Election Commission decision as "one-sided" and an insult to party founder Kanshiram.