LETTER TO THE ELECTION COMMISSION
Sub: Arbitrary order to cover of remove “Aam Aadmi” from all Government schemes, Mohalla Clinics and Bus service
Sir,
We are shocked to know that the State Election Commission has directed the Chief Secretary of NCT Delhi to remove “Aam Aadmi” from all Government billboards, Government schemes, Mohalla Clinics and Public Transport buses. This direction has been issued on a letter written by our political opponent and BJP MLA Sri Vijendra Gupta.
Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic concept is a new revolution in the field of healthcare and the model is being appreciated world over. It is quite natural that anti-people forces like the BJP are upset and are leaving no stone unturned to derail the programme. But what shocks us the most is the fact that the a Constitutional body like the Election Commission is acting as subordinate of its political masters and is taking orders from them.
We are pained to note that the officers in the Commission have trampled over the Constitution by following the diktats of political leaders. In a haste to please a political party, the Commission did not even care to follow the due procedure and issue notices to the State Government and the Aam Aadmi Party and allow them a hearing. Telling the Chief Secretary to ensure compliance to a BJP leader’s order during elections is an insult to the Constitution which envisages an independent Election Commission with the duty to conduct free and fair elections.
It is Commission’s Constitutional duty to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders and not to succumb to political pressure, which the Commission has unfortunately done. Does this mean that now the Commission will also ask the Chief secretary to cover “Bhartiya” and “Janata” words, wherever they appear on government buildings, installations and billboards, as the two words figure in the name of a political party, the Bhartiya Janata party? Similarly, will the Commission also cover Words “Indian” and “National” from all government buildings, installations and billboards because they also figure in the name of Indian National Congress?
The officers who have resorted to such sycophancy have done irreparable damage to the institution of Election Commission.
We urge the Commission to immediately correct this mistake. If at all it feels the need, it must allow an opportunity to the State Government and the Aam Aadmi Party before passing any order.
