Coming down heavily upon the Election Commission for suspending the official posted as the election observer who checked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chopper, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi on Friday termed the incident as unfortunate. He said that the Election Commission as well the PM missed the opportunity to restore their image.
Financial Express quoted Quraishi as saying, “Both these institutions have been under the public scanner – the PM for repeatedly violating the model code of conduct and EC repeatedly overlooking it.”
Quraishi issued a statement in which he stated, “The raid on the PM’s chopper should have been used to demonstrate that the law is equal for everybody. In one stroke, the intense criticism against them both would have come crumbling down. Unfortunately, they both chose a different course. The already ongoing criticism would now get magnified many times over.”
Drawing a contrast between the incident involving the PM and another similar one involving Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who was subjected to a similar search, Quraishi commended Patnaik’s conduct during the raid in his presence and said it has emboldened his image. He said, “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, because of his extremely dignified conduct during a similar raid on his chopper, in front of his eyes, has come out with his stature enhanced. This is the statesmanlike conduct we need from our leaders. Salute Mr Patnaik!”