EC moves SC over Maya stautes

The Election Commission of India has moved the Supreme Court and sought a direction to a “defiant” Mayawati Government to furnish details regarding installation of statues of elephants in Lucknow and Noida.

The Election Commission of India has moved the Supreme Court and sought a direction to a “defiant” Mayawati Government to furnish details regarding installation of statues of elephants in Lucknow and Noida.

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The EC claimed the UP government has not responded to its notice to place documents on how much money it spent to install the statues. The EC issued notice to the state pursuant to the February 25 SC order, directing the commission to decide whether installation of statues of elephants at the cost of the state exchequer by the Mayawati government in Lucknow and Noida amounts to the installation of party’s election symbol.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (since retired) had granted three months to the commission to decide the issue.

As the time stipulated by SC ended, EC moved the court seeking extension of time to complete its inquiry into the matter. The Commission showed its helplessness in wake of UP government’s non-cooperation. The EC stated that while refusing to furnish details of the expenses and the total number of statues installed in the state, the UP government had also challenged its jurisdiction to adjudicate the issue.