State-level tie-up to fight BJP
Mamata’s 1:1 formula lets state parties to lead; says not averse to Congress tie-up
As the Congress deftly pushes for Opposition unity, Trinamul Congress president Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday hit the ground running in her quest for a Federal Front and came up with a “1:1 formula”, that proposes state-level alliances be formed to defeat the BJP.
The West Bengal chief minister met leaders of political parties across the spectrum. She is likely to meet UPA chaiper-son Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday evening.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, the TMC chief said she was not averse to the idea of the Congress being part of any coalition against the BJP. “Whoever is strong in whichever state, that party should be allowed to take on the BJP. Let us help them (the parties). It has to be 1:1. In fact, the Congress should support JD-S leader Deve Gowda ji in Parliament.”
Among all those with whom she held meetings, the longest discussion was held with NCP chief Sharad Pawar whom the TMC chief visited in his office.
New Delhi, March 27: BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya on Tuesday tweeted the date of the Karnataka Assembly polls before the Election Commission announced it, prompting the panel to describe the leak as a "very serious issue" that merited a probe and "stringent action".
Mr Malviya, however, tweeted that he had only quoted a news channel. His tweet came when Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat was addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for Karnataka polls, but had not announced the date.
The BJP IT cell head said the election would be held on May 12 and counting would take place on May 18.
While he was correct on the polling day, the votes will be counted on May 15.
When Rawat’s attention was drawn towards the tweet, he described it as a "very serious issue".
He said people can conjecture, but noted that as information has been “leaked”, the Election Commission will probe the matter and take “stringent action” both "legally and administratively".
The CEC later said the tweet was incorrect as the actual date of counting was May 15 and not May 18.
Meanwhile, the EC decided to set up a probe committee that may seek help from central agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau into the incident.
As per the process, the CEC Rawat will have to write to the home ministry to get the desired information under relevant laws.
In a statement, the poll panel referred to Malviya’s tweet and said, “The Commission has constituted a committee of senior officers of Election Commission to investigate the matter and give its report within seven days.
The Committee would also suggest steps needed to prevent any such eventuality in future. The Committee set up by the Commission has already sought information from the concerned media organisations and individuals,” the EC statement said.