Patna,(BiharTimes): In a significant development the Election Commission on Tuesday said that no party can issue whip for the Rajya Sabha by-poll.

The EC has written a letter in this regard to the Returning Officer of the Rajya Sabha election. The EC cited its 2007 directive in this regard. The Returning Officer has sent the EC directive to all the political parties of Bihar. 

According to the EC directive no party can put pressure on the voters, that is MLAs, as it is a crime under Section 171 of the Indian Penal Code. A voter can even boycott the election.

The EC’s directive has come as a blow to the ruling Janata Dal (United), which earlier in the day issued the whip to all its legislators. They were asked to be present and vote for the party’s candidates.

As the whip has become meaningless it is likely to embolden the rebels, whose number has come down. Now that the party is unable to take action many of the legislators may rethink their strategy. 

The EC letter has even landed the RJD in a fix as it too can not issue whip to support or oppose the JD(U) candidates.

Meanwhile, Independent candidate, Sabir Ali, said that he would take legal course against the JD(U) chief whip and parliamentary affairs minister, Shrawan Kumar.