Delhi election panel acting as subordinate to political masters: AAP

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The ruling AAP on Wednesday accused the Delhi State Election Commission of acting as a subordinate of its political masters by ordering removal/covering of "Aam" word displayed in Delhi government's schemes.

Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey, in a memorandum to the commission, said that the party members were shocked over the directions to remove the word from various schemes, including Mohalla Clinics and public transport buses.

"What shocks us the most is the fact that a constitutional body is acting as a subordinate of its political masters and taking orders from them," Pandey said in the memorandum.

"We urge the commission to immediately correct this mistake," Pandey said.

He said that Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic concept is a revolution in the field of public healthcare and the model was being appreciated worldwide.

"We are pained to note that commission officers have trampled over the Constitution by following the diktats of political leaders," the AAP leader said.

He said the commission did not even care to follow due procedure and issue notices to the state government and the AAP and allow them a hearing.

He wondered whether the State Election Commission will ask the Chief Secretary to cover "Bharatiya" and "Janata" words, wherever they appear on government buildings, installations and billboards, as the two words figure in the name of the Bhartiya Janata Party.

"Will the commission cover words "Indian" and "National" from all government buildings, installations and billboards because they also figure in the name of Indian National Congress?" Pandey asked.

The State Election Commission on Tuesday directed the AAP government to remove "Aam" word from all displays vis-a-vis its schemes as demanded by BJP legislator Vijender Gupta.

The commission also demanded a "compliance report" within 48 hours.