Aboard ‘Tanjore’, Air India, May 10
Taking strong exception to the controversy whipped up by a letter about the conduct of the
three-member Election Commission, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was emphatic that constitutional institutions like the EC has earned the
respect and admiration of the world for their contribution and “nothing should be done to weaken that fabric.”
He was categoric that “it is incumbent on all to ensure that the essential institutions of a democratic framework are respected, their sanctity maintained and their autonomy preserved in a manner which will ensure that they continue to contribute to our democratic. This responsibility vests both in those within the institutions and in those outside.”
Saying that Union Law
Minister Hansraj Bhardwaj has gone on record that he has not received any such letter, Dr Singh told mediapersons accompanying him while returning from Moscow today that it is in this perspective that all issues should be examined. “Nothing should be done which can lead to an unwanted weakening of our democratic institutional fabric.”
Impartial observers feel that the Prime Minister has sent a subtle message to Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav caught in the eye of a storm once again holding the portends of the RJD supremo trying to create fissures in the UPA Government.
The Prime Minister said that the autonomous Election Commission which is a creation of the Constitution has had an impeccable track record of conducting elections and is widely respected for its work. “The Commission has played a critical and positive role in the successful functioning of our democracy.”
“India today is emerging on the global scenario as a confident, progressive and rapidly growing economy, which has managed to build a multicultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious society with a democratic framework. It is this success of India in harmoniously managing the dual processes of economic development and democratic government which is being seen by many as a role model for the world,” Dr Singh added.
