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NCP today deplored the attempt of BJP to cast aspersion on the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying such an action was a threat to the constitutional bodies.
The BJP was trying to polarise voters ahead of the polling on May 12, alleged party spokesman Nawab Malik, who recently visited Varanasi to campaign for the Congress, while addressing a press conference here.
"Pressuring the ECI in such a manner by holding protests and dharnas is not right. Such actions are a threat to the functioning of constitutional bodies and detrimental to democracy," Malik said.
"Since the BJP has realised it along with its allies is nowhere near the majority mark of 272, attempts are being made to vitiate the atmosphere. Narendra Modi himself cancelled the Ganga arti despite being granted permission, as it could land him in trouble for poll code violation. The arti can be done individually but not at party level," he said.
Malik claimed that in Beniya Bagh (Varanasi), no political rally has taken place since 1996, after communal tension resulted in ten deaths and left 136 injured during the public meeting of Rajesh Dixit, an ex-DGP, during the Babri demolition, who contested on BJP ticket.
"Since then, there have been no election rallies in the maidan," he said.
Malik accused the BJP of deliberately wanting to create a law and order problem.
