Election Commission has rejected BSP's plea for reconsideration of its order on covering statues of elephants and party chief Mayawati built with govt money. The decision was taken by the full Election Commission. BSP had approached the poll panel to reconsider its earlier decision on the issue.

Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi sharply reacted to Mayawati's criticism of the order saying that she should think before criticising it. He was answering a query by reporters in New Delhi on the issue. Quraishi said such comments should not be made because other political parties may also demand raising pedestals in government parks for displaying their poll symbols. He said the poll authority creates a level playing field for all political parties in the elections.