In an irrevocable shock to the UP chief minister Mayawathi and her BSP ahead of the assembly polls, the Election Commission today announced it would get demolished all her statues and those of her party symbol-elephant erected across the state by her government.

Disclosing this to journalists in Delhi this evening, Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said that the Commission’s decision follows a petition filed by a lawyer seeking to ensure a level playing field in the state for the forth coming elections.

“Based on the guidelines issued by the Commission in the past, we will take appropriate steps to ensure a level playing field among all political parties by removing the statues of Mayawathi and elephants in the state,” Quraishi said.

It may be mentioned that several political parties had also demanded the removal of her statues and those of elephants.

While BJP, Congress and other political parties welcomed the move, BSP leaders said the EC’s decision smacked of a political conspiracy to put their party to disadvantage.

Reacting to the development, Samajwadi Party leader Mohan Singh said Election Commission should remove all types of statues in the state before the elections. (JUBS)