Karnataka Poll Dates: Congress tags BJP as 'Super Election Commission'

New Delhi : The Congress on Tuesday attacked the BJP over its IT cell chief declaring the date of the Karnataka assembly polls before the Election Commission did and said the poll panel's credibility is on test and the ruling party has become a "Super Election Commission."

Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Manish Tewari and Jyotiraditya Scindia said in tweets that the declaration of the date by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary is unprecedented and imperils democracy.

Earlier in the day, Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's Information Technology cell, tweeted the date of the Karnataka Assembly polls before the EC announcement. He later deleted the tweet.

Surjewala asked if an FIR would be filed against Malviya and notice given to BJP chief Amit Shah.

"BJP becomes the ‘Super Election Commission' as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. Credibility of EC is on test," he said.

"Will EC now issue notice to BJP President Amit Shah and register an FIR against BJP IT Head for leaking EC's confidential information?" he sought to know.

Tiwari said the tweet by the BJP functionary has impacted the credibility of the Commission.

"This is unprecedented. TV channels and BJP functionaries announcing poll dates before the Election Commission. This imperils democracy not just the credibility of the Election Commission. Cannot recall a single such instance in the past," Tewari said.

Scindia described the incident as "absurd" and said the concerned authorities must give an explanation.

"Shocking that BJP IT cell knew Karnataka elections 2018 dates before official Election Commission announcement. We are forced to question the sanctity of the EC and our democratic tradition of free and fair elections. This is absurd and unprecedented! Concerned authorities must explain!" said Scindia.