'Team Anna's anti-Cong campaign in polls questionable'

Team Anna's proposal to campaign against Congress in the forthcoming assembly elections in five states raises questions of "propriety and ethics", chief election commissioner SY Quraishi said today warning that anything that comes in the way of free and fair elections is not acceptable. Anti-Congress campaign to be Hazare's political trial

Team Anna's proposal to campaign against Congress in the forthcoming assembly elections in five states raises questions of "propriety and ethics", chief election commissioner SY Quraishi said on Sunday warning that anything that comes in the way of free and fair elections is not acceptable.

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However, he said from the aspect of election laws there was nothing wrong in their campaign if they ask people not to vote against any party.

Asked whether he would like to caution Team Anna, he said "No. I think it (caution) will be a little strong word. I am hopeful that nothing will be done which will disturb the election process. Because anything that comes in the way of peaceful and free and fair elections is not not acceptable."

He said that from the election laws, there was nothing legally wrong in such a campaign so long as they say don't vote for any particular party.

"We don't have any problem because in a democracy they have a right to oppose or support anybody. It should not be in violation of the model code of conduct. There is no hate speech and anything that leads to law and order problems.

"These are issues we are watching. We will ensure absolutely that there is peace and order," Quraishi told PTI.

"At the same time there is a growing feeling of propriety and ethics and whether this movement is entering into politics. Then questions will be raised. We feel that it is for the leaders of the movement that they should be very careful that they will not be on the wrong side of the law," he said.

Quraishi said if anyone campaigns in favour of a particular party or candidate, then the issue of election expenditure comes in.

"So long as they are not saying vote for a particular party or candidate, we don't have a problem (of expenditure)," he said.