New Delhi, May 11: Chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi today shot down the CPM’s complaint against P. Chidambaram for labelling Bengal the “worst-governed state”, saying the home minister was making a “statement of facts”.

But the CEC pointed out that the most peaceful elections ever in the state had given it a good name, and the commission was replacing the Bihar model with the Bengal one.

“He (Chidambaram) did not say anything noteworthy. It was a statement of facts. (That) we had to hold a six-phase election with so much security shows there was a problem (relating to law and order),” Quraishi said in response to a question about the CPM’s complaint against Chidambaram.

Reacting to Quraishi’s remarkss, CPM central committee member Nilotpal Basu, who liases with the Election Commission on behalf of the party, said: “His comments on the statement of a politician surprises us. A CEC isn’t only supposed to be neutral... he should appear to be neutral too.”

On the campaign trail in Bengal, Chidambaram had said Bengal was the “worst-governed state”, inviting angry reactions from CPM leaders, including chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee who referred to the Union minister as “Doctor Babu”.

“Chidambaram has come from Delhi to heal us, but I say, Doctor Babu, heal yourself. We know how to heal ourselves,” Bhattacharjee had told an election meeting.

Politburo member Sitaram Yechury had lodged a complaint before the commission. In the complaint, the leader had appealed to the commission to seek a clarification from Chidambaram on whether he had spoken in his capacity as the home minister of the country or as a Congress campaigner.

Quraishi refused to attach any importance to the CPM’s complaint against Chidambaram but pointed out that most of the complaints lodged by the Left had been examined by the commission.

The election watchdog boss also underscored the importance of peaceful elections. “Earlier, Bihar was our model but now, Bengal has replaced it. It has been the most peaceful election ever. I congratulate all concerned for giving a good name to the state,” Quraishi said.

He acknowledged that holding peaceful elections in Bengal was a challenge and pointed out that his “gut feeling” that the state would give a “pleasant surprise” had been confirmed. “I had a gut feeling that West Bengal will give us a pleasant surprise and it has happened,” he said.

Nilotpal Basu said the state government too had a role to play in the peaceful elections. “There has been a 12 per cent increase in the percentage of votes cast in Jungle Mahal. That was possible not only because of the Election Commission but also because of the state administration’s efforts over the past two years to establish the rule of law there. So, before passing such remarks, the CEC should keep this in mind,” he said.

Asked about action taken against CPM leader Anil Basu for his derogatory comments against Mamata Banerjee, Quraishi said a censure order had been sent last night.

On the CPM’s allegations that black money was used by the Trinamul Congress, the CEC said the commission had taken note of it. He said the issue related to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and the banks had been asked to clarify it. Referring to the CPM’s allegations based on burnt counterfoils, Quraishi said it might not necessarily be dirty money.

Quraishi, however, used the opportunity to make the larger point of bringing about accountability and transparency in political funding. “We want all payments to be made through cheques and accounts to be audited by CAG-approved auditors. We are seeking co-operation from the political parties,” he said.

Giving out figures, he said the turnouts in Bengal and Tamil Nadu were the highest in history and women turned out in larger numbers than men in the two states and also in Kerala and Puducherry.

He said cash seizures of Rs 8.35 crore were made in Bengal, Rs 60.10 crore (highest) in Tamil Nadu, Rs 5.20 crore in Assam and Rs 62 lakh in Kerala.

Quraishi said that with political parties launching TV channels during elections, the commission was working on guidelines for the electronic media for a level playing field.

“We are examining the issue of using your own channel for unlimited publicity. Before the next elections, we will have something in place,” Quraishi said.

Pointing out it was a “complicated issue”, election commissioner V. Sampath said the poll panel did not want to move in haste.