The Election Commission of India should not function like a political party but should function in a neutral manner like the judiciary, chief minister
and DMK president M.Karunanidhi said.
“When even the judiciary is bound to fault sometimes, it would be good if EC does not face a situation wherein it faces adverse criticism,” the DMK chief said at a press conference here on Thursday. Drawing attention to the DMK government’s announcement of about Rs 4 crore cash prize to the world cup-winning Indian cricket team, Mr Karunanidhi said the government had approached EC for permission. “We have obtained due permission. But it has been accorded with a rider that the photographs of chief minister directly giving away rewards to the players or the association should not be published. This is just an example of EC’s sternness,” Mr Karunanidhi said.
Though he denied that he had said EC was biased, the DMK patriarch to a query on opposite camp’s observations about the commission, retorted, “If the opposite camp appreciates its functioning, then what does it mean? From that, you can very well understand (about EC’s functioning).”
On AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa’s charges against his son and DMK south zone organising secretary M.K.Alagiri, he said the latter had earned the wrath of the rivals as he had grown popular in the district which was in their hold by creating necessary facilities.