Tejashwi criticises EC for not disclosing gender-wise data of first phase Bihar polls
Patna (PTI): RJD leader and INDIA bloc chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav on Monday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for "not disclosing gender-wise data" of electors who cast their votes in the first phase of the Bihar assembly polls, even after four days of the voting.
An ECI official, however, said gender wise information is provided at the time of final turnout. The second and final phase of polling will be held on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that the RJD-helmed opposition coalition will not allow "vote theft or dishonesty".
"The EC has not disclosed the gender-wise data of electors who cast their votes on November 6 even after four days have passed from the first phase of assembly polls. This is happening for the first time. Earlier, it was given immediately," he claimed.
Yadav also alleged that the poll panel has stopped functioning properly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He also warned "officials of dire consequences, if they try to create trouble in collusion with the EC or union Home Minister Amit Shah".
"We will not allow vote theft or dishonesty under any circumstances," the RJD leader said.
Yadav also claimed that altogether 208 companies of security personnel from BJP-ruled states have been deployed in Bihar on poll duties.
"Why have the security personnel been deployed from BJP-ruled states? We are keeping a close watch on them. Around 68 per cent of police observers are from BJP-ruled states. Why is it so?" he asked.
Outsiders, including Shah, want to control Bihar, and the people of Bihar will not allow it, the RJD leader said.
He also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his poll campaigns, did not talk about issues like unemployment and migration in Bihar and indulged in negative politics.
"I don't know what sort of web series the PM is watching these days," Yadav said.
The RJD leader also claimed that Modi did not say anything about the corruption charges against Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, Health Minister Mangal Pandey and state BJP president Dr Dilip Jaisawal.
He alleged that the PM shared the dais with people who are not honest.
Yadav, the chief ministerial face of the INDIA bloc, exuded confidence of winning the polls and said, "We will take oath on November 18."
The RJD leader also claimed that there would be no compromise with law and order, and "we will take action against criminals, communal forces and corruption if the INDIA bloc wins Bihar polls".
Responding to the charges, an ECI official said, "The overall gender ratio in voter turnout is generally given at the time of final turnout.
On deployment of security forces for the polls, the official said nearly 80 per cent of the personnel were taken from the Central Armed Police Force.
"Only about 20 per cent are deployed from the State Armed Police which are drawn proportionately from different states as per availability. The SAP has been taken from 24 states including Jharkhand, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka," he said.
The states he named are ruled by non-BJP parties.
"Observers have been deployed proportionately from all states irrespective of the ruling party in the respective state. The CCTVs have been functioning at all strong rooms. Wherever any malfunctioning comes to notice, it has been promptly rectified," the official said.
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Nothing wrong in MLAs aspiring for ministerial position: K'taka HM Parameshwara
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Bengaluru (PTI): Amid a group of ruling Congress MLAs camping in Delhi with a cabinet rejig demand for their inclusion, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there was nothing wrong in legislators aspiring for ministerial positions.
He asserted that experienced MLAs were capable of handling such responsibilities.
His remarks came a day after senior and first-time MLAs stepped up lobbying efforts in the national capital with the party high command, seeking a cabinet reshuffle and greater representation.
"There is nothing wrong in them asking for it (ministerial position)," Parameshwara, a senior Congress leader, said
He added that the MLAs, some of who have been elected thrice, are capable to take up the ministerial positions.
He maintained that the final call on any cabinet reshuffle rests with the party high command.
"Our Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), the high command, and our party (state) president (DK Shivakumar) decide about reshuffle. These three sit together and take a decision," he said.
The minister also indicated that the established procedure for cabinet formation was likely being followed.
"Earlier too, when I was the (state Congress) president, during cabinet formation, the Pradesh Congress Committee president, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader, and our in-charge general secretaries would take decisions that would then be presented before our AICC president, approval would be obtained, and then it would be announced," he said.
He added that even today the same procedure is followed.
Responding to questions on whether senior ministers would make way for newcomers, Parameshwara said they would abide by the party's decision.
"If the high command decides then we have to accept it. There is no question of not accepting it," he said.
Stressing on party discipline, he added, "Whether it is me, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, or Energy Minister K J George, we all are seniors. If they (high command) decide that we should be replaced and make changes, then there is no question of us opposing it."
Clarifying that discussions were limited to a possible cabinet reshuffle, he said decisions on leadership matters were entirely in the hands of the high command.
He said the discussions were limited only to the Cabinet rejig and not changing the party state president, a post being held by Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for the past six years.
"Right now we are discussing cabinet reshuffle, not about the party president. All such matters are left to the high command," he said.
Recalling his own appointment as state Congress president in the past, Parameshwara said he had not lobbied for the post. "When I was made president, I did not lobby for it. Our leader Sonia Gandhi took the decision. It came as a surprise to me. I had not asked for it," he said.
On Sunday, several senior MLAs travelled to Delhi to press for a cabinet reshuffle, while first-time legislators renewed their demand for representation, seeking at least five berths in the Siddaramaiah-led ministry.
The push for a rejig comes amid internal rumblings within the ruling party and speculation over leadership issues, even as the high command is yet to take a final call.
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