Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday fired a salvo at the Election Commission (EC) and accused it of being uncompassionate. “The EC did not allow me to go to Vidisha to mourn death of my close acquaintance Raghuvir Dangi on November 27,” he said and added, “I wanted to go to Dangi’s place but Commission denied permission citing ban on outsider in a constituency.” Talking to reporters, the Chief Minister alleged that the poll panel was too strict with the BJP and claimed that as a constitutional institution was not fair with the party. He also claimed that the Congress was well aware of its defeat at the hustings and was preparing ground for shifting the blame of its poor performance on the EVMs.
Accusing Congress of making a mockery of elections, Chouhan said that for the grand old party everyone be it the EC or police or government officials are dishonest. He said that unsubstantiated and irrelevant allegations were being hurled only to create confusion. Chouhan claimed that the Congress took a team from Nagpur to Rewa and accused his officer-on-special- duty (OSD) SN Ruplah of EVM hacking. The Congress was readying a background for its defeat and trying to exert pressure on the administration, he claimed.
“Had there been any irregularity, commission would have initiated action,” he added. He also accused the Congress of making hue and cry over Cabinet meetings called for routine work. “No policy decision was taken in these meetings. It is government’s responsibility to resolve problems so that public is not left in a lurch. Public issues need to be taken up immediately and it is our duty to address them,” he said. Chouhan stated that he could not take decision on price of onions and garlic as model code of conduct was enforced, but assured that farmers would