Sunday, May 8 2005 18:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy today (May 8, 2005) asserted that his colleagues B B Tandon and N Gopalaswamy had not made casteist remarks against Yadavs during discussions on EC observer L V Saptharishi's report on Lok Sabha elections in Chapra from where Railway Minister Laloo Prasad contested.

"They (Tandon and Gopalaswamy) were sitting close to me. I know what remarks they have been making. Why should such a statement be made? I have not heard any such casteist remarks," the CEC told reporters on the allegation of the senior IAS officer who was the commission's observer to Chapra, that attempts were made by the two ECs to countermand the Chapra poll.

Asked if the allegations were being made at RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) president Laloo Prasad's behest, he said, "I can't comment".

In the eye of a storm over Saptharishi's allegations against Tandon and Gopalaswamy, the CEC said all decisions were unanimously taken on the basis of factual information.

"EC is a remarkably credible, independent organisation. Just because one person takes a view does not mean that EC is wrong," he said.

"All decisions are being taken unanimously. All decisions are on the basis of factual info and analysis of reports received. And this tendency to denigrate the EC is strongly condemned by me," Krishnamurthy said.

"I am rather sorry and feel very bad that such unfortunate allegations are being made," he said.