LOW VOTER TURNOUT DATA: KHARGE RESPONDS TO EC

Responding to the accusations hurled at him of creating impediments to the conduct of free and fair elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday wrote to the Election Commission.

- OUR BUREAU

In his letter, he said: "The letter even though an open letter is clearly addressed to our alliance partners and not to the commission. It is surprising that the Election Commission wanted to respond to this letter while ignoring several other complaints given directly to it". 

"I have certain misgivings on the language of the letter, but I will not press on that issue as I understand the pressure they are working under," he said.

"I am happy that the commission understands that it has the mandate to conduct smooth, free and fair elections under the Constitution. However, the lack of urgency shown by the commission in taking action against blatantly communal and casteist statements being made by the leaders of the ruling party that vitiates the electoral process seems puzzling," Kharge further said.