Why did EC delay Gujrath poll dates announcement: Congress

New Delhi: The Congress party accused the BJP party for delaying the announcement of dates for the Gujarat assembly elections.

“The dates for Gujarat were not announced today along with Himachal Pradesh, and there will be a gap of more than one month before the results are announced,” party MP and secretary in charge of the State Ranjeet Ranjan said. “It indicates that the BJP is scared of the outcome in Gujarat.” She hinted that perhaps the ruling BJP wished to make some pre-election announcement for Gujarat, before announcing the poll dates.

Ranjan said that after party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on October 7 announced, while on a visit, that Mr. Singh would be the chief ministerial candidate  the mood had begun to change in favour of the Congress.

The EC was on Thursday supposed to announce election dates for both Himachal Pradesh and for Gujarat. However, it did so only for the former. It did add though that polls in Gujarat will be held before December 18, the day when the results of the November 9 Himachal Pradesh polls are to be announced.

However, chief election commissioner AK Joti said the delay in announcing the Gujarat dates was to ensure the state did not have to endure a long period under the model code of conduct. Joti said there is “no justification” to have a prolonged period of imposition of model code of conduct as it could hamper development work.