Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
On Presidential Reference on EC's Decision
The BJP-led government seeking a Presidential reference on the Election Commission's decision on the Gujarat elections is unwarranted. The reference under Article 143 of the Constitution is yet another attempt to undermine the constitutional authority of the Election Commission.
The Election Commission decision not to hold early elections is within the purview of the powers of the Commission given the situation prevailing in Gujarat. There is no constitutional crisis or problem emerging from this decision. The only problem is for the BJP which had cynically gambled on an early election in a state devastated by unprecedented communal violence. The BJP, after denigrating the Commission, is now drawing the President into a needless controversy.
The Polit Bureau is confident that the Election Commission's authority and jurisdiction in the Gujarat elections will be upheld by all concerned.