Election dates: KC Venugopal accuses EC of bias

New Delhi/T'puram: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Monday accused Election Commission (EC) of bias, alleging that assembly election schedule was strategically engineered to undermine Congress party by restricting its campaign window and limiting movement of its key leaders.He criticised EC's decision to hold first phase polls on April 9 in states where Congress party is a prominent force. "There seems to be no urgency as results will be announced only on May 4," he told reporters in New Delhi.According to election schedule announced in New Delhi on Sunday, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go to polls in the first phase.Venugopal said that after the last date for withdrawal of nominations, candidates will get hardly 10 days for full-fledged campaigning as it coincides with Holy Week. "Holy Week is of great significance for Keralites and election work is not possible on days like Good Friday, especially in Christian-dominated areas," he pointed out.He said even if poll date had been scheduled after Holy Week and Vishu festivities in the state, it would not have made much difference."Elections will be held in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in second and third phases, respectively," he said."EC's approach is very clear. Election date has been announced with the objective of cutting short campaigning of candidates and limiting Congress leaders who lead the campaign," Venugopal alleged.He said a similar approach was evident during assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra as well. "So, there is no doubt that EC's approach is very mysterious," the Congress leader said, adding that he does not know whether state govt has any role in it.He, however, made it clear that the early election date would not impact poll prospects of Congress party, which is all set for the much-awaited assembly polls. PTI