Not scared of anyone, sad that a party should protest against us: EC

New Delhi: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had a stern message for the Bharatiya Janata Party today. "We appeal to senior leaders of parties to display greater maturity when referring to the EC," CEC VS Sampath said at a press conference, called shortly after the BJP held a massive protest in Varanasi over the cancellation by the district authorities of a rally by Narendra Modi.

"We are disappointed that a national party should embark on a protest against the EC," Sampath said, making it abundantly clear that the poll panel was not "scared of anyone - any political party or entity".

"Political parties must understand that issues relating to permission for campaign purposes should be asked for with due notice. Over 3,000 public meetings have been permitted by the EC in these elections. Competent local authorities of Varanasi, for security reasons, were unable to give permission for Modi's public meeting in Benia Bagh. We are bound to go by professional advice from the local administration. It cannot be ignored," Sampath said.

Sampath also refuted the BJP's charges that there was a delay on part of the EC to grant permission for Modi's meetings in Varanasi. "The permissions were accorded within hours of the requests," he said.

"The EC remains zealous about maintaining its neutrality in conducting elections. The EC has discharged its responsibility with impartiality and neutrality," the CEC asserted.