Wednesday, January 19 2005 20:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy today (said strict action would be taken if any party leader was seen practicing religion-based politics and appealed to all political parties to avoid personal vendetta.

"We have to verify the authenticity of the statement. But the commission will take action if religion is used for political exploitation," Krishnamurthy said when his attention was drawn to reports that RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) president Laloo Prasad had blamed the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) for post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in his election campaign in Bihar.

Laloo, while campaigning in rural areas of Gaya and Aurangabad districts yesterday (Jan 18, 2005), said Justice U C Banerjee report on Godhra incident had completely ruled out "possibility of an inflammable liquid having been used" in the Sabarmati Express fire.

Laloo alleged that the BJP and Sangh Parivar were "deeply involved" by spreading mis-information campaign after the train tragedy, which led to riots in which hundreds of innocent people were killed.

Stating that the commission is yet to go through the interim report of Banerjee panel, the CEC (Chief Election Commissioner) said that it would be unfortunate should such things were used for political purposes.

"We are certainly disturbed and quite unhappy if such things are used for personal acrimony and vendetta," he said and appealed to all political parties to concentrate on issues of development and good governance.

"Political parties must learn good democracy and good governance," he asserted.

To a question on allegations against Giridih Superintendent of Police Deepak Verma following the gunning down of CPI-ML-Liberation (Communist Party of India - Marxist-Leninist) MLA Mahindra Singh on Sunday 9jan 16, 2005), Krishna Murthy said the Arjun Munda Government had requested permission to transfer the police officer.

Categorically denying that any action had been initiated by the EC against the official, he said, "We agreed to the Government's request for allowing it to transfer the Giridih police officer."

The widow of the slain left leader had alleged the police officer and a State Minister were involved in her husband's murder.

The EC did not agree with the idea of many political parties to take to wall graffiti to counter Naxal slogans against a poll boycott.

"We will follow the rules strictly. But we have also directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police - Jharkhand - to take appropriate steps to tackle such wall writing by Naxalites in some areas," Krishnamurthy said.

Krishnamurthy, who was flanked by two other commissioners - B B Tandon and N Gopalaswami - said that the political parties have the print and electronic media to pass their messages to the electorate.

The commission said that it was not in favour of allowing party flags atop two-four wheelers as requested by political parties.

Stating that the commission had taken note of one political party's allegation against another for distributing lethal bows and arrows (among partymen), he said the administration had been asked to initiate action.

The CEC, who had yesterday met nine political parties separately in Ranchi, said one party leader alleged that a particular IAS officer in State had been meeting a political figure.

"We expect the officials to be neutral in their approach and provide a level-playing field to all," he said.

Expressing dissatisfaction over Jharkhand administration for its 'inability' to provide Identity cards to every one, he said that it was unfortunate that only about 60 per cent of the electorate had been provided with Identity cards.

"However, the voter can use any one of the fourteen documents that the Election Commission has already approved," Krishnamurthy said.

On the circumstances behind holding Assembly elections in three phases in Jharkhand and Bihar, Krishnamurthy said that the commission could have held the polls in one or two phases had adequate para-military forces been available.

"Three phases are necessitated due to lack of adequate para military forces to deploy everywhere to conduct free and fair elections simultaneously," he said.

To prevent any undue influence over the electorate, the commission directed that politicians, provided with security, move out from the areas as soon as they finish poll campaigning.

"However, there is no bar on the leader who is a voter of that particular constituency," he said.

The EC also expressed dissatisfaction over executing only 50 per cent of the non-bailable arrest warrants and asked the police to carry out the rest at the earliest.

To maintain secrecy of the voters, video and photography would not be allowed in the booths, he said.