Wednesday, November 2 2005 14:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Election Commission's pointsman in Bihar, K J Rao, whom Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had last week dubbed as an 'extra-Constitutional authority', came under fresh attack with the alliance today (Nov 2, 2005) demanding his immediate apology for alleged attempts to 'humiliate a particular community'.

A delegation consisting of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh and Union Minister Prem Chand Gupta of RJD and All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Ranjit Thomas met the Commission and complained against Rao over the issue.

Talking to reporters, Digvijay Singh said that during inspection of Bhagalpur town and Nath Nagar areas Rao had reportedly said that the area was a 'Pakistani Mohalla'.

"This statement was received with great anger and anguish among the Muslim community and they decided to boycott the election until and unless Rao apologises for the remarks and take back his words," he said.

Observing that it was a serious matter and that the EC should contradict the remarks or probe into it, he said that repoll should be conducted in polling booths 46, 47 and 50 of Bhagalpur Assembly constituency.

"These reports appearing in the media are clear indications of Rao crossing his limits and trying to humiliate a particular community. His reported open comments and hatred for a particular community is also damaging the EC's image of impartial custodian of the election affairs," Singh said.

He also demanded a compensation of Rs five lakh to Pappu Singh, who was killed in a Border Security Force (BSF) firing during the second phase of polling. Besides providing a government job to the elder brother of the deceased, a case should be registered against the official.