EC disapproves footwear-attacks on politicians

The Election Commission called for a halt to the 'phenomenon' of hurling shoes at political leaders.

Expressing its strong disapproval towards the trend of footwear attacks targeting politicians during the electioneering,the Election Commission called for a halt to the “phenomenon”.

“It’s a very unfortunate development”,Election Commissioner S Y Quereshi said here in response to questions at a press conference,adding,”the way it is spreading,it’s a matter of concern for all of us”.

EC’s comments came on a day when Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa became the latest target in an election meeting,where a man hurled a ‘chappal’ at him but it missed the target.

Story continues below this ad

Quereshi,however,surprisingly added that “This phenomenon is here to stay”,but added that something should be done to stop it from “escalating” (the trend).

He flatly rejected criticism by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha,who had reportedly blamed the EC for low voter turnout. Quereshi,here to review the poll preparedness in the state which goes to third phase of polls on April 30,said before finalising the poll schedule,all the political parties had been consulted.

“EC is used to criticism from all quarters and it takes them into its stride,” he said. Conducting general elections in the country was “complex”,he said and termed it a “miracle”. It (Indian elections) is the single largest management exercise of any kind in the world,he added.

Quereshi said he was in favour of “liberalisation” in terms of allowing banners and flags so that the campaigning was not “deprived” of festivities but if one went by ‘Letters to Editors’ in newspapers,people seem to support the present stringent measures.

Story continues below this ad

But he,however,added that EC was mulling some liberalisation in campaigning by political parties. Quereshi said the full commission was expected to take a view on Tuesday on a BJP complaint that former Prime Minister H D Devegowda had distributed money to voters during campaigning.

On IAS officer and Yeddyurappa’s Joint Secretary B G Nandakumar,who has been charged with canvassing for BJP candidate in Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency,Quereshi said the EC had asked state Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao to initiate a departmental enquiry against him.