Pakistan was trying to end bloodshed when it let the idyllic Swat Valley fall under Islamic law last week. Instead, it has emboldened the Taliban and prompted an invitation — however improbable — for Osama bin Laden.
The local spokesman for the Taliban, which control the valley, said he'd welcome militants bent on battling US troops and their Arab allies if they want to settle there.
“Osama can come here. Sure, like a brother they can stay anywhere they want,” Muslim Khan said in an interview, his first with a foreign journalist since Islamic law was imposed. “Yes, we will help them and protect them.”
Khan spoke in halting English he learned during four years painting houses in the US before returning to Swat in 2002. He averted his eyes as he spoke to a female journalist, in line with his strict understanding of Islam.
Pakistan reacted with alarm to his comments, saying it would never let him shelter the likes of bin Laden.
“We would have to go for the military operation. We would have to apply force again," said Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira. “We simply condemn this. We are fighting this war against al-Qaida and the Taliban.”
But it is far from clear that the government has the means to do much of anything in the Swat Valley. It agreed to Islamic law in the region — drawing international condemnation — after trying and failing to defeat the Taliban in fighting marked by brutal beheadings that killed more than 850 people over two years.
“We lost the war. We negotiated from a position of weakness,” said Afrasiab Khattak, a leader of the Awami National Party,
which governs the province that includes Swat. He said the region's police force is too underpaid, undertrained and underequipped to take on the militants.
On Friday, Taliban fighters in pickup trucks with black flags rumbled through the rutted streets of the valley's main city of Mingora, demanding over loudspeakers that shops shutter their windows and prepare for prayers.
In the city center, a district police station lay in ruins, destroyed by a suicide bomber. The only music blaring praised the Taliban and extolled the young to fight holy war.
Aftab Alam, president of the district court lawyers,whispered: “They are more than beasts. Our government is impotent, stupid and corrupt. We are helpless (facing) this militancy,” he said, calling the Taliban “barbaric” and “illiterate.”
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Poll star divides astrologers over violence, winners and losers
Even the stars are split wide open. If pollsters predict no clear majority in the Lok Sabha polls, astrologers are no different. If one soothsayer foresees an eruption of violence during the polls, another thinks to the contrary.
Militancy could rock the country between April 22 and June 22, says 86-year-old astrologer Lachhman Das Madan. But Ashutosh Ojha (66) has the opposite take: “there may be isolated incidents, but no major threat”.
Both psephologists and astrologers are offering more analysis than prediction.
“We are in the midst of the most vulgar show of piety, lies, bluffs, false assurances, mean opportunism,” says K.N. Rao (78) on his site. The prediction: “UPA will form the government with regional parties or the Third Front will triumph with Congress support.”
Madan predicts the NDA will form the government. “In BJP’s horoscope, Venus is helping the party,” he says. Ojha gives the NDA 222 seats, Congress 140 and BSP 23.
Ajai Bhambi (57) foresees a hung verdict. “Advani or Manmohan may not be PM, Sonia will get a jolt. Maya will create fear for others.”
Madan and Bhambi say Sharad Pawar will emerge stronger. No consensus! The stars hide more than they tell.
Militancy could rock the country between April 22 and June 22, says 86-year-old astrologer Lachhman Das Madan. But Ashutosh Ojha (66) has the opposite take: “there may be isolated incidents, but no major threat”.
Both psephologists and astrologers are offering more analysis than prediction.
“We are in the midst of the most vulgar show of piety, lies, bluffs, false assurances, mean opportunism,” says K.N. Rao (78) on his site. The prediction: “UPA will form the government with regional parties or the Third Front will triumph with Congress support.”
Madan predicts the NDA will form the government. “In BJP’s horoscope, Venus is helping the party,” he says. Ojha gives the NDA 222 seats, Congress 140 and BSP 23.
Ajai Bhambi (57) foresees a hung verdict. “Advani or Manmohan may not be PM, Sonia will get a jolt. Maya will create fear for others.”
Madan and Bhambi say Sharad Pawar will emerge stronger. No consensus! The stars hide more than they tell.
Prabhakaran takes charge of Tamil Tigers’ last stand
The SRI Lankan army (SLA) continued to push into the LTTE-dominated “no fire zone” (NFZ) on Tuesday as Tamil militants vowed never to surrender and held Colombo responsible for civilian casualties.
By evening, more than 62,000 civilians had crossed over to government-controlled areas. Television footage showed emaciated and tired men, women and children walking towards military-controlled areas with little or no belongings.
At noon on Tuesday, the 24-hour deadline given by the government to the LTTE to surrender expired without the Tamil Tigers showing any signs of responding.
Within hours of the deadline expiring, the LTTE leader S. Pulveedan told Reuters, “LTTE will never surrender and we will fight and we have the confidence that we will win with the help of the Tamil people.”
“He (Prabhakaran) is with us and he is directing the war against the Sri Lankan armed forces and providing a lot of support and assistance to the people,’’ Puleedevan said.
“The LTTE has not responded to the government’s call to surrender, so we will continue our offensive to rescue the civilians,’’ military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told reporters.
LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran was inside the NFZ, a top Tiger leader was quoted as saying. The rebels continued to put stiff resistance from the NFZ with skirmishes reported from across its 12 km-long border.
A Sri Lankan official, meanwhile, said that Colombo was preparing to send a special envoy to New Delhi to address India’s demand that Sri Lanka halt military operations.
In a second media statement, Puleedevan claimed that SLA troops were using civilians who were sandwiched between the army and the LTTE as “human shields.”
The LTTE further alleged that more than 1,000 civilians have been killed and at least 2,300 were wounded since Monday.
Amid rapid internal developments, Colombo continued to resist international appeals for a ceasefire with President Mahinda Rajapaksa snubbing British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
“The request by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for a pause in military action was deemed as unnecessary by President Mahinda Rajapaksa considering the unexpected exodus of 35,000 civilians to the cleared areas from the NFZ,’’ a statement from the Presidential secretariat said.
According to the UN, the figure of civilians in the NFZ would be more than 60,000.
The US on Tuesday expressed its deep concern over humanitarian situation in the conflict zone. Aid agencies like the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) issued a warning.
“The ICRC is extremely worried about tens of thousands of civilians who are trapped in the rapidly shrinking NFZ,” it said.
By evening, more than 62,000 civilians had crossed over to government-controlled areas. Television footage showed emaciated and tired men, women and children walking towards military-controlled areas with little or no belongings.
At noon on Tuesday, the 24-hour deadline given by the government to the LTTE to surrender expired without the Tamil Tigers showing any signs of responding.
Within hours of the deadline expiring, the LTTE leader S. Pulveedan told Reuters, “LTTE will never surrender and we will fight and we have the confidence that we will win with the help of the Tamil people.”
“He (Prabhakaran) is with us and he is directing the war against the Sri Lankan armed forces and providing a lot of support and assistance to the people,’’ Puleedevan said.
“The LTTE has not responded to the government’s call to surrender, so we will continue our offensive to rescue the civilians,’’ military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told reporters.
LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran was inside the NFZ, a top Tiger leader was quoted as saying. The rebels continued to put stiff resistance from the NFZ with skirmishes reported from across its 12 km-long border.
A Sri Lankan official, meanwhile, said that Colombo was preparing to send a special envoy to New Delhi to address India’s demand that Sri Lanka halt military operations.
In a second media statement, Puleedevan claimed that SLA troops were using civilians who were sandwiched between the army and the LTTE as “human shields.”
The LTTE further alleged that more than 1,000 civilians have been killed and at least 2,300 were wounded since Monday.
Amid rapid internal developments, Colombo continued to resist international appeals for a ceasefire with President Mahinda Rajapaksa snubbing British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
“The request by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for a pause in military action was deemed as unnecessary by President Mahinda Rajapaksa considering the unexpected exodus of 35,000 civilians to the cleared areas from the NFZ,’’ a statement from the Presidential secretariat said.
According to the UN, the figure of civilians in the NFZ would be more than 60,000.
The US on Tuesday expressed its deep concern over humanitarian situation in the conflict zone. Aid agencies like the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) issued a warning.
“The ICRC is extremely worried about tens of thousands of civilians who are trapped in the rapidly shrinking NFZ,” it said.
More than terrorist’s communal forces within threaten India : Sonia Gandhi
Addressing an election rally in Ranchi (Jharkhand), Congress President Sonia Gandhi appealed to all present to send out the message of unity and harmony in every village. She said, “We need a people’s movement to spread the message of unity, brotherhood and harmony in every village, just like Tana Bhagat had once done.” She said that while Congress Party tries to fill the widening gap between communities, there were parties trying to divide people on the basis of caste and religion. “They don’t care about the country or the society. The real danger for our country is not of terrorists attacking us from outside, but the communal forces who are trying to provide a fertile ground for the terrorists,” she said.
Congress President said “the common man needs peace, he needs employment for his children. The 21st century belongs to young people, a dream that Rajivji dreamt 20 years ago. Many of you will be voting for the first time in these elections and this too has happened because of the efforts of Rajivji,” she said. She asked all present, “Now you have to decide as to which way you want the country to move. Are you going to elect those people who pledge for social justice, for development and fight against terror or for those who are trying to grab power by any means?”
Ms. Gandhi said that the people had witnessed the work and achievements of Congress Party and that of the opposition. She appealed to them to vote on the basis of performance. “UPA government has done revolutionary work. Despite recession, the economy has scaled heights” she said. Enumerating the achievements of the UPA government she said that it had carried out the largest ever Employment Guarantee Scheme for poor people. “More than four crore poor people have got employment through this programme, of which thirty one percent are Dalits and twenty four percent tribal people. “Now they get employment in their respective villages with dignity and don’t need to move to farther places in search of livelihood,” she said.
Congress president said that the government has done a lot for the betterment of farmers. She said, “UPA government launched the largest loan waiver programme of the world, waiving Rs 65,000 crore loans for farmers.” She cited mid-day meal scheme as another big achievement of the UPA government. “This is the biggest scheme of the world and crores of children are getting food in government school, daily,” she said.
Congress President said that her government passed a long overdue law for tribal people ensuring that they had rights to their forest land. She said there had been a special drive for SCs and STs to fill vacancies reserved for them in government departments.
Congress President said “the common man needs peace, he needs employment for his children. The 21st century belongs to young people, a dream that Rajivji dreamt 20 years ago. Many of you will be voting for the first time in these elections and this too has happened because of the efforts of Rajivji,” she said. She asked all present, “Now you have to decide as to which way you want the country to move. Are you going to elect those people who pledge for social justice, for development and fight against terror or for those who are trying to grab power by any means?”
Ms. Gandhi said that the people had witnessed the work and achievements of Congress Party and that of the opposition. She appealed to them to vote on the basis of performance. “UPA government has done revolutionary work. Despite recession, the economy has scaled heights” she said. Enumerating the achievements of the UPA government she said that it had carried out the largest ever Employment Guarantee Scheme for poor people. “More than four crore poor people have got employment through this programme, of which thirty one percent are Dalits and twenty four percent tribal people. “Now they get employment in their respective villages with dignity and don’t need to move to farther places in search of livelihood,” she said.
Congress president said that the government has done a lot for the betterment of farmers. She said, “UPA government launched the largest loan waiver programme of the world, waiving Rs 65,000 crore loans for farmers.” She cited mid-day meal scheme as another big achievement of the UPA government. “This is the biggest scheme of the world and crores of children are getting food in government school, daily,” she said.
Congress President said that her government passed a long overdue law for tribal people ensuring that they had rights to their forest land. She said there had been a special drive for SCs and STs to fill vacancies reserved for them in government departments.
NDA neglected farmers & poor people : Rahul Gandhi
While addressing an election rally in Pipariya (MP), Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that UPA has fulfilled all its promises, and for the past 5 years had worked for poor people. He said, “Unlike the opposition, we had made just one promise, to work for poor people, for Dalits and the backward classes, and we fulfilled that promise.”
Congress General Secretary reiterated that the biggest promise made by his government was the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. “It is the largest scheme in the world and by implementing it, our government has ensured hundred days of employment for all, without any discrimination on the basis of caste, community and area,” he said. Alleging that the NDA had neglected farmers he said, ‘While the NDA neglected farmers, the UPA government waived loans for them. Our government waived loans worth 70,000 crore rupees and returned their money.”
Congress General Secretary said that the future of India lies in its children. He said, “For school going children our government launched the Mid-day Meal Scheme under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).” Enumerating the work done by his government for tribal people, he said “UPA government enacted a law for tribal people, to give tribal people rights over their forestland. The UPA government passed a bill in Parliament to ensure this.”
Rahul Gandhi said that his party is fighting for the cause of poor people but it is unfortunate that funds sent by the Centre were not being used properly at the state level. He said, “My father used to say that only 15 paisa out of hundred, reaches the common man but I will say that it is now reduced to 5 Paisa.” He criticized the BJP for misguiding people on the issue of central grants that were given to states. He said, “Compared to the NDA regime, UPA has given three times more funds to the states.”
Congress General Secretary accused BJP of dividing society on the basis of religion and region. He said, “We believe that all Indians irrespective of his caste, community and area should have equal say in development and it is only then that India can move forward.”
He said, “During election time, the opposition is busy making new slogans instead of talking about poverty and unemployment. Now they are talking about Swiss Banks and terrorism. They say that Manmohan Singh is a weak Prime Minister but fact is that it was the pressure of Manmohan Singh that Pakistan came to our terms after recent Mumbai attacks,” he said.
He questioned BJP leader L K Advani’s role in the Kandhar hijack case and said that if he didn’t know about the release of terrorists in Kandhar he should have resigned. “Now you people have to decide who is strong and who is weak,” he said.
Congress General Secretary accused the BJP led state government of not implementing Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and of neglecting the healthcare sector. He assured people that a new NTPC plant will soon be started in the state. Rahul Gandhi concluded his speech by saying, “vote for a party which will serve the poor & backward people, for Dalits.”
Congress General Secretary reiterated that the biggest promise made by his government was the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. “It is the largest scheme in the world and by implementing it, our government has ensured hundred days of employment for all, without any discrimination on the basis of caste, community and area,” he said. Alleging that the NDA had neglected farmers he said, ‘While the NDA neglected farmers, the UPA government waived loans for them. Our government waived loans worth 70,000 crore rupees and returned their money.”
Congress General Secretary said that the future of India lies in its children. He said, “For school going children our government launched the Mid-day Meal Scheme under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).” Enumerating the work done by his government for tribal people, he said “UPA government enacted a law for tribal people, to give tribal people rights over their forestland. The UPA government passed a bill in Parliament to ensure this.”
Rahul Gandhi said that his party is fighting for the cause of poor people but it is unfortunate that funds sent by the Centre were not being used properly at the state level. He said, “My father used to say that only 15 paisa out of hundred, reaches the common man but I will say that it is now reduced to 5 Paisa.” He criticized the BJP for misguiding people on the issue of central grants that were given to states. He said, “Compared to the NDA regime, UPA has given three times more funds to the states.”
Congress General Secretary accused BJP of dividing society on the basis of religion and region. He said, “We believe that all Indians irrespective of his caste, community and area should have equal say in development and it is only then that India can move forward.”
He said, “During election time, the opposition is busy making new slogans instead of talking about poverty and unemployment. Now they are talking about Swiss Banks and terrorism. They say that Manmohan Singh is a weak Prime Minister but fact is that it was the pressure of Manmohan Singh that Pakistan came to our terms after recent Mumbai attacks,” he said.
He questioned BJP leader L K Advani’s role in the Kandhar hijack case and said that if he didn’t know about the release of terrorists in Kandhar he should have resigned. “Now you people have to decide who is strong and who is weak,” he said.
Congress General Secretary accused the BJP led state government of not implementing Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and of neglecting the healthcare sector. He assured people that a new NTPC plant will soon be started in the state. Rahul Gandhi concluded his speech by saying, “vote for a party which will serve the poor & backward people, for Dalits.”
Mayawati attacks EC, accuses it of working on Cong directions
Launching a scathing attack on the Election Commission, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday accused the poll body of working on the directions of the Congress and its allies to stop her party BSP from gaining power.
"I would like to say that the EC officials are acting on the directives of the Congress and its allies. The EC under political pressure is trying to stop BSP to gain power despite the party having peoples' support in its favour," Mayawati alleged.
She told reporters, "Both members of EC (Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi) are active members of the Congress coterie. Under such circumstances, free and fair elections are not possible in the country. I strongly condemn the EC tactics."
Mayawati alleged Quraishi was "biased and is trying to help his political friends in Uttar Pradesh.
"Quraishi has interest in UP as he hails from this state and has number of close relatives here. He is also having good relations with a prominent SP leader and trying to help one of his old friend, who is contesting on a Congress ticket," she alleged.
Mayawati also alleged that transfer of police officers on Monday in Jaunpur where a candidate was found hanging had "proved apprehensions of former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami regarding integrity of his successor Navin Chawla".
"Gopalaswami had written a letter to the President doubting the integrity of Chawla and had alleged that his deputy was working as a Congress agent. The Jaunpur transfers had proved that former CEC's allegations were true," the BSP supremo said.
She said never in the past such serious allegations have been levelled against any CEC. "Under such circumstances, Chawla should have resigned on his own. Unfortunately that did not happen," she said.
Mayawati alleged that Quraishi was indulging in activities which had nothing to do with the poll process.
"Due to his personal interest, Quraishi, instead of visiting states where violence took place in the first phase, is coming to UP again and again and indulging in activities which had nothing to do with the poll process," she alleged.
Mayawati termed as unfortunate the Election Commissioner's remarks warning UP officials of serious action.
She added that "Quraishi has personal animosity against some officials of the state.
"Without making any inquiry, Quraishi asked the officials to mend their ways immediately and threatened them to ruin their career. This is very unfortunate. Keeping in view the attitude of the EC, I am sure that the Lok Sabha elections are neither fair nor free," she said.
Mayawati said the state government has already taken a serious note of the Jaunpur incident and ordered a high-level probe led by ADG Padman Singh.
"The inquiry committee, which submitted its report yesterday, has said that prima facie it was a case of suicide and no political person was involved," she said.
She said: "the EC on the basis of a report submitted by two IAS officials, who do not have any experience of investigating crime, transferred three police officiers including the additional SP. The action taken by the EC was unfortunate."
Such action will demoralise the government machinery which is committed to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections, the UP Chief Minister said.
"In the first phase, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state. Under such circumstaces instead of patting our back, the EC had removed three officers only on the basis of baseless complaints, which is not justified," she said.
Mayawati maintained the EC's action will create hurdles in the state government's effort to conduct peaceful and fair elections.
"This is a serious situation for democracy and Congress is solely responsible for this. But I would like to add that the EC's tactics will not help the Congress or any of the opposition parties in the ongoing polls," she said.
Mayawati alleged that Congress leaders were threatening her by misusing CBI.
She also alleged that opposition parties, in a bid to disrupt the poll process, may engineer a communal or casteist riots in the state.
"The opposition parties can also engineer a terror or naxalite attack behind the scene. Any political party can also get me killed during election campaign. The Congress can go to any extent to stop my party," she alleged.
Accusing the Congress of misusing the government machinery, Mayawati alleged that in the last assembly elections similar tactics were adopted to demoralise the BSP workers and the party.
"Congressmen, who are sitting in the EC, joined hands with the SP and created problems for the BSP. I would like to question Chawla and Quraishi that why don't they visit states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chaittisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, which witnessed heavy violence in the first phase of polling," she said.
She alleged that the opposition parties were not happy with the fact that a Dalit's daughter was the chief minister of UP. "They do not want that a Dalit's daughter to become the Prime Minister," she alleged.
She again advised that EC should avoid transferring officials without any genuine ground or basis.
"In case any complaint is received against any officer, the EC should inform the state government. We will not hesitate in taking stern action against the guilty official," she said, adding "I hope the EC will not give us another chance to complain in future".
"I would like to say that the EC officials are acting on the directives of the Congress and its allies. The EC under political pressure is trying to stop BSP to gain power despite the party having peoples' support in its favour," Mayawati alleged.
She told reporters, "Both members of EC (Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi) are active members of the Congress coterie. Under such circumstances, free and fair elections are not possible in the country. I strongly condemn the EC tactics."
Mayawati alleged Quraishi was "biased and is trying to help his political friends in Uttar Pradesh.
"Quraishi has interest in UP as he hails from this state and has number of close relatives here. He is also having good relations with a prominent SP leader and trying to help one of his old friend, who is contesting on a Congress ticket," she alleged.
Mayawati also alleged that transfer of police officers on Monday in Jaunpur where a candidate was found hanging had "proved apprehensions of former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami regarding integrity of his successor Navin Chawla".
"Gopalaswami had written a letter to the President doubting the integrity of Chawla and had alleged that his deputy was working as a Congress agent. The Jaunpur transfers had proved that former CEC's allegations were true," the BSP supremo said.
She said never in the past such serious allegations have been levelled against any CEC. "Under such circumstances, Chawla should have resigned on his own. Unfortunately that did not happen," she said.
Mayawati alleged that Quraishi was indulging in activities which had nothing to do with the poll process.
"Due to his personal interest, Quraishi, instead of visiting states where violence took place in the first phase, is coming to UP again and again and indulging in activities which had nothing to do with the poll process," she alleged.
Mayawati termed as unfortunate the Election Commissioner's remarks warning UP officials of serious action.
She added that "Quraishi has personal animosity against some officials of the state.
"Without making any inquiry, Quraishi asked the officials to mend their ways immediately and threatened them to ruin their career. This is very unfortunate. Keeping in view the attitude of the EC, I am sure that the Lok Sabha elections are neither fair nor free," she said.
Mayawati said the state government has already taken a serious note of the Jaunpur incident and ordered a high-level probe led by ADG Padman Singh.
"The inquiry committee, which submitted its report yesterday, has said that prima facie it was a case of suicide and no political person was involved," she said.
She said: "the EC on the basis of a report submitted by two IAS officials, who do not have any experience of investigating crime, transferred three police officiers including the additional SP. The action taken by the EC was unfortunate."
Such action will demoralise the government machinery which is committed to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections, the UP Chief Minister said.
"In the first phase, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state. Under such circumstaces instead of patting our back, the EC had removed three officers only on the basis of baseless complaints, which is not justified," she said.
Mayawati maintained the EC's action will create hurdles in the state government's effort to conduct peaceful and fair elections.
"This is a serious situation for democracy and Congress is solely responsible for this. But I would like to add that the EC's tactics will not help the Congress or any of the opposition parties in the ongoing polls," she said.
Mayawati alleged that Congress leaders were threatening her by misusing CBI.
She also alleged that opposition parties, in a bid to disrupt the poll process, may engineer a communal or casteist riots in the state.
"The opposition parties can also engineer a terror or naxalite attack behind the scene. Any political party can also get me killed during election campaign. The Congress can go to any extent to stop my party," she alleged.
Accusing the Congress of misusing the government machinery, Mayawati alleged that in the last assembly elections similar tactics were adopted to demoralise the BSP workers and the party.
"Congressmen, who are sitting in the EC, joined hands with the SP and created problems for the BSP. I would like to question Chawla and Quraishi that why don't they visit states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chaittisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, which witnessed heavy violence in the first phase of polling," she said.
She alleged that the opposition parties were not happy with the fact that a Dalit's daughter was the chief minister of UP. "They do not want that a Dalit's daughter to become the Prime Minister," she alleged.
She again advised that EC should avoid transferring officials without any genuine ground or basis.
"In case any complaint is received against any officer, the EC should inform the state government. We will not hesitate in taking stern action against the guilty official," she said, adding "I hope the EC will not give us another chance to complain in future".
EC turns down Varun's request for transfer of Pilibhit DM, SP
The Election Commission on Tuesday turned down a request by BJP's candidate from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi for transfer of District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police as also appointment of neutral observers in the key constituency.
"The Commission did not find any reason to transfer District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police," Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan told reporters when asked about BJP's candidate's plea in this regard.
Rejecting Mr. Varun's request for appointment of neutral observers, he said that the poll panel's observers were always neutral and critical events were video-tracked.
On the security issue, Mr. Balakrishnan said that it was for the state government to decide on the security requirement of a candidate and EC did not quantify how much security a candidate should be provided.
Mr. Gandhi, who is on a two-week parole, has requested for transfer of Pilibhit DM and SP, alleging that they have "demonstrated their malafides" against him.
Replying to a question on the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) allegedly offered by TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Balakrishnan said that the EC has asked the DEO (District Electoral Ofiicer) and the SP to investigate the matter and give a report.
"The Commission did not find any reason to transfer District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police," Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan told reporters when asked about BJP's candidate's plea in this regard.
Rejecting Mr. Varun's request for appointment of neutral observers, he said that the poll panel's observers were always neutral and critical events were video-tracked.
On the security issue, Mr. Balakrishnan said that it was for the state government to decide on the security requirement of a candidate and EC did not quantify how much security a candidate should be provided.
Mr. Gandhi, who is on a two-week parole, has requested for transfer of Pilibhit DM and SP, alleging that they have "demonstrated their malafides" against him.
Replying to a question on the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) allegedly offered by TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Balakrishnan said that the EC has asked the DEO (District Electoral Ofiicer) and the SP to investigate the matter and give a report.
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