CEC denies differences of opinion in top rungs of EC

New Delhi: Under attack over handling high-profile Varanasi constituency, the Election Commission today rejected any differences at the top as sought to be suggested by EC HS Brahma and dismissed the BJP charge that it was timid and weak in taking decisions. The Commission also rejected any bias in allowing roadshow by Rahul Gandhi and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav but denying permission for Narendra Modi to address a public meeting in his constituency from a venue of BJP’s choice on Wednesday in a communally sensitive area. [caption id=“attachment_1517255” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath. AFP[/caption] In an interview to PTI, Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath pointed out that Brahma is also party to all the decisions and any attack on the Commission applied to all of them. He strongly defended the decision of the Returning Officer of Varanasi and ruled out his removal from the constituency which will witness polling on Monday. He dismissed allegations of partisan approach in quickly ordering filing a complaint against Modi in Gandhinagar while seeking a report in case of Rahul Gandhi for alleged violation of voting secrecy in Amethi. “The top leadership comprising all three Commissioners functions, acts as a team and it is discharging its constitutional responsibilities with firmness and with the required promptitude. “We also strongly deny that there are any differences among ourselves. All decisions, including in this issue relating to Varanasi meeting venue, all decisions have been taken only unanimously. “We have no difference whatsoever. In fact, the decisions we have taken about Varanasi, the full Commission held a press conference on May 8 in which all these decisions were explained to the entire media. PTI