THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister V Muraleedharan has said that the Election Commission has the power to take an independent stand in the Rajya Sabha elections. "The Election Commission is free to take an independent stand. It cannot be questioned," Muraleedharan said.

According to Muraleedharan, the Left Front was creating a controversy over the Rajya Sabha polls in order to get some extra votes. He also criticized Idukki MP Joyce George for his derogatory remarks against Rahul Gandhi. While stating that the remarks made by Joyce George were not in line with democratic culture,
Muraleedharan added that such remarks should not be made even against enemies in politics.