The Election Commission reacted sharply on Wednesday to Congress leaders’ description of the election results in Haryana as “unacceptable.” Such a term was “unheard of in the rich democratic heritage” of India and not a manifestation of freedom of speech.
Writing to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the poll panel contended that statements made by party leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera were intended to be an “undemocratic rejection of the will of the people” as manifested through the established electoral system.
The Commission also took cognizance of statements made by Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, who termed the Haryana results “unexpected” and said plans were afoot to study the results and file complaints before the EC.
The EC also received a request for a meeting with a 12-member delegation of INC, comprising all those who issued the contentious statements.
“Going by the fair presumption that the statement of the party president reflects the formal party position on the electoral outcome, the Commission has agreed to meet the delegation today at 6 PM,” the letter to Kharge said.
