Allahabad: Miffed over a notice of the Election Commission wherein he has been accused of "electioneering while on an official tour", Uttar Pradesh Advocate General VC Mishra on Tuesday alleged that the poll panel was being "partisan" and "favouring the BJP".
The EC, in its May 3 notice, had cited reports of the District Electoral Officers of Banda, Mahoba and Moradabad, where Mishra had visited last month in his capacity as the chairman of an "Empowered Committee" set up by the state government for quick disposal of cases pending in courts.
The EC had also taken exception to the fact that in reply to an earlier notice, which he was served following reported use of state aircraft and government vehicles for visiting various parts of UP, Mishra had "specifically mentioned" that during his official visits he did not act "in favour of any party or the party in power".
Talking to reporters, Mishra said, "The EC is partisan and has been favouring the BJP which is evident from the fact that while both Amit Shah and Azam Khan were debarred from campaigning following complaints of alleged communal speeches, the ban on the BJP general secretary was lifted but retained on the UP minister who belongs to the Samajwadi Party."
Mishra, who is known to be close to Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, maintained that "at no point of time did I utter a single word which could be construed as canvassing for the ruling party in the state. I had only apprised advocates about various programmes of the state meant for the welfare of legal practitioners".
"The notice dated May 3 was served on me only on May 5, the date by which the EC expected a reply. Nevertheless, I have written to the poll panel that I be provided with the CDs on the basis of which the concerned District Electoral Officers have sent their reports. I have said that I will submit my reply within a week of receipt of the CDs," Mishra added.
