CPI(M) to mobilise Opposition for EC reforms: Yechury

CPI(M) general-secretary Sitaram Yechury said the party will mobilise the Opposition to ensure that election commissioners are appointed by a collegium-led by the President rather than by the government.

He said the recent Lok Sabha elections underlined the need for far reaching electoral reforms, adding the Election Commission could not implement its assurance to conduct "free and fair polls".

"When the Right goes strong, the Left has to go strong and that will be the new polarisation in the country. Soft Hindutva is not the answer to hardcore Hindutva and that is why Left is the only option," Yechury argued.

The CPI(M) will mobilise all willing sections of the political spectrum to ensure that election commissioners are appointed by a collegium-led by the President, he said.

"We will mobilise the opposition parties and seek to urgently reform the Election Commission so that it can play an impartial role," he said.

The decision was taken in the preliminary review of the Lok Sabha ...