Srinagar: Election Commission today (April 1, 2004) said leaders of political parties should conduct themselves in a responsible manner and refrain from making personal attacks during poll campaigning, which might bring disgrace to Democracy.

Asked about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's reported remarks about Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) T S Krishna Murthy refused to comment on individual cases but said political parties should conduct themselves in a responsible manner and if they indulge in mudslinging and personal attacks, they would bring disgrace to Democracy.

Asked if Election Commission would take any action against Modi for his remarks about Gandhi and her son Rahul, who is contesting Parliamentary polls from Amethi, Krishna Murthy said the Commission had not received any complaint so far.

The CEC, who arrived on a three-day visit to the State along with Election Commissioners B B Tandon and M Gopalswami, told reporters that an all-party meet has been convened in Delhi to discuss all poll-related issues including surrogate advertisements and opinion polls and to build a broader consensus on them.

"We want to evolve broader consensus among political parties on these issues," he said, adding that the Commission would continue to make efforts to have a dignified election campaign.

Krishna Murthy said that the Election Commission would ensure that the forthcoming Parliamentary polls are held in a free and fair manner like the Assembly polls of 2002 in the State.

Election Commission has come here to take stock of the arrangements for ensuring free and fair elections and discuss related issues with authorities and political parties, he said.