Taking a tough stand against the decision of the Gujarat State Election Commission (SEC) to postpone polls to various local bodies, the state Congress today said it would move the High Court to challenge it.
Congress also alleged that the Commission was playing into the BJP government's hands, and it deferred the elections deliberately in the interest of the ruling party.
"Such a decision shows that the Commission has become a puppet in the hands of BJP government. We will approach the High Court to challenge the order which has taken away citizens' right to vote," Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki said at a press conference.
Earlier today, the SEC announced postponement of elections to various local bodies taking into consideration the law and order situation.
Elections to six municipal corporations, 56 municipalities, 230 taluka panchayats and 31 district panchayats were expected to be held in October and November this year as their terms are expiring during this period.
The SEC notification of postponement didn't give the precise reason, but it is believed that it took into account the volatile situation created by Patel quota agitation.
"BJP is trying hard to avoid defeat in polls. Panchayati Raj institutions are in a bad shape in Gujarat, but the government is not ready to hold elections. People of Gujarat are being betrayed by the government," Solanki said.
Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela said if the law and order situation was bad, then President's rule should be imposed in the state.
"This government has double standard. In 2002, when situation was much worse due to Godhra riots, our PM, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, had asked the Election Commission of India to hold Assembly polls claiming that the situation is totally under control," said Vaghela.
