'Share details of 150 DM': EC seeks response from Jairam Ramesh on allegations against Amit Shah | News from India

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India on Sunday asked Congress leader Jairam Ramesh to share factual information and details about his allegations on social media that calls were made by India's home minister Union, Amit Shah, to 150 district magistrates just days before the scheduled counting of votes. The poll body has sought the Congress chief's response by today evening.

In its letter to Jairam Ramesh, EC said that no MP has reported any undue influence on the election body under whose jurisdiction he is working till the end of the election process. “The process of counting votes is a sacred duty incumbent upon every RO and such public statements by a highly placed, responsible and experienced leader tend to sow seeds of doubt and therefore deserve to be addressed in the larger public interest “, the EC said. in his letter.

“As a responsible, experienced and very senior leader of a national party, you must have made such a public statement just before counting day, based on facts, information which you believed to be true. You are requested to provide details of 150 MPs to whom such calls were allegedly made by the Home Minister and the factual basis of your information will be shared today at 7 p.m. so that appropriate action can be taken,” the EC said in his letter.

Jairam Ramesh had claimed on Saturday that Amit Shah had already spoken to 150 DMs or collectors and added that this showed “how desperate the BJP is”.

“The outgoing Home Minister has called the MPs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is ” he said in a message on X.

“Let it be very clear: the will of the people will prevail, and on June 4, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah and the BJP will leave, and Janbandhan INDIA will be victorious,” he said.

Ramesh said officers should not be under any pressure and must respect the Constitution. They are under surveillance, he added.

(With contribution from agencies)