Lucknow: One power that the Election Commission has -- and it uses it sparingly and judiciously -- is the power to transfer biased bureaucrats who may misuse the voting process. On Wednesday, the Home Secretary of Mayawati's government was transferred by the Election Commission.
But, knowing the Election Commission is powerless against politicians, Mayawati joined the rest with what many see as another irresponsible statement.
"We ask the EC to forward all evidence of any wrong doing by any bureaucrat. Asking the government to remove top bureaucrats is not done," she said.
Upset with the Election Commission replacing her hand picked officers, Maya Memsaab is now in battle mode.
So, if the Principal Secretary (Home) was shunted out by the EC on Tuesday, on Wednesday he is back as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
But getting her way wasn't enough. It was time to go on the offensive. And the Chief Minister of the country's largest state publicaly washed her hands off any law and order problems during elections.
"If there is a communal problem or terrorism in the state during election, the state government will not be responsible for it. The EC will be responsible."
In Delhi, the Election Commission said they would let their actions speak for them.