Not only the Opposition parties, but even the BJP's ally JD (U) is not entirely convinced with the Election Commission's reasons for not announcing Gujarat Assembly election dates along with that of Himachal Pradesh polls.
"In my personal view, Gujarat election dates should have been announced with HP earlier, reasons given by EC not convincing," news agency ANI quoted JD (U)'s Pawan Verma as saying.
The EC had drawn flak from the opposition parties for not announcing the Gujarat polls date along with that of Himachal Pradesh where elections are scheduled to be held on November 9.
The Congress party in particular was very critical of the Election Comission for withholding Gujarat election dates, accusing the poll panel of working on the directions from the Centre. The Congress had alleged that the NDA government had pressurised the EC to delay the announcement so that the Prime Minister could announce sops to his home state before the model code of conduct came into force.
[Possibility of snowfall was a key factor to declare Himachal polls early: EC]
The EC, had on its part, said that the flood relief work was still underway in Gujarat because of which poll dates could not be announced. It said the same government apparatus which is engaged in flood relief work is needed for conducting elections.
On October 12, the EC had announced Assembly poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh but did not announce the dates for Gujarat, only saying that it would go to the polls before December 18.
OneIndia News
