SC asks EC to see if elephant statues violate poll code

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Election Commission to decide within three months whether installation of statues of elephants by Uttar Pradesh chief minster Mayawati under her pet statue project at huge cost of public money is violative of the poll code.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice Deepak Verma and Justice B S Chauhan asked the poll panel to decide the issue by May. The state government, however, has taken the stand that the statues of elephants should not be construed as a mere election symbol of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), but it is a welcome symbol.

“We have given reply to the Election Commission that the elephants installed in parks are not the election symbol of the party as alleged, but a welcome symbol.” “Even in North Block and South Block (which has offices of key ministries) here, You have elephant statues,” said senior advocate and Mayawati’s close aide S C Mishra appearing for the state government.

The court was hearing a PIL which said that 60 statues of elephants were being installed by Uttar Pradesh government at a cost of Rs 52.20 crore at public places by utilising state funds.