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Despicable, says Lyngdoh

New Delhi Aug. 23. The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh today hit back at the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, for attacking him on religious grounds saying it was ``quite despicable'' and ``gossip of menials'' who have not heard of atheism.

Breaking his silence on the controversy over the Election Commission's decision not to hold early Assembly elections in Gujarat, Mr. Lyngdoh defended his action saying he had acted entirely on the basis of ground realities and the Commission's decision was unanimous.

``Well it is quite despicable. I can say in a few words that it is the gossip of menials who have not heard of atheism,'' he told Star News TV channel when asked about his response to the criticism of his decision.

The criticism was a ``reflection of how poor the polity is'', he said while maintaining that it did not affect his work.

Asked how he felt when his religion was questioned in the wake of Mr. Modi referring to his Christian faith, Mr. Lyngdoh shot back ``I have no religion. In fact, I think that religion is responsible for many of these problems.

To a query whether he does not get drawn towards competitive politics following criticism of his order on the Gujarat elections, he said ``I don't think it is competitive politics. I think the politics today is dirty, vitiated and tendentious.''

Asked if was sure the Commission was on firm legal round on its Gujarat order, Mr. Lyngdoh said, ``the more the criticism, the more I think it is the right decision".

He also dismissed speculation that the EC order on Gujarat was not unanimous saying, "I do not do karate on my colleagues.''

On the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Lyngdoh said he absolutely supported the concept of Governor's rule in that State ahead of the polls. — PTI

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