EC code not letting me work,will move SC,says Assam CM

Elections for all Lok Sabha seats in Assam and other North-Eastern states got over Thursday but the model code of conduct will remain in force till the election process is completed across the country.

In his letter to the Election Commission on April 9 — a copy of which he released to the media today — Gogoi pointed out: “Assam is one of the most problematic states in the country,having the largest number of extremist groups and many other complicated problems. As chief minister,I have to be in constant touch with the state and district headquarters so that the government runs smoothly and efficiently.”

He referred to the four explosions that rocked Assam on April 6 and said he was “badly handicapped” because of the EC directive. “On April 6,when incidents of four blasts took place,I was badly handicapped as no official accompanied me on my outstation tours as per your directives,” Gogoi wrote to the EC.

He said “a lot of important and secret information” had to be passed on to him (as he also holds the Home portfolio) by different officials and vice-versa. “Unless any official or a private secretary accompanies me,it greatly hampers the interests of the state,” Gogoi said,asserting that he had never misused his official position.

“I am not even allowed to speak to the Director General of Police to seek any information on law and order problems just because of this directive,” Gogoi told reporters. “While I have already written to the Election Commission to revoke this particular restriction,I am also taking up the matter with other chief ministers who too have been severely handicapped.”