NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram slammed the Election Commission for not announcing the Gujarat poll schedule, saying the election watchdog had “authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the dates at his last rally”, after all “freebies” for the state were doled out.In a tweet, the former finance minister said, “EC has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally (and kindly keep EC informed).” He added, “EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat government has announced all concessions and freebies.”The EC had announced on October 12 that polling in Himachal Pradesh would take place on November 9, but held off announcing the Gujarat schedule. The EC just said polling in the western state would be held before December 18.Congress had alleged that the government put “pressure” on the poll panel to “delay” announcement of the Gujarat poll schedule.The party has said that the model code of conduct would have come into immediate effect in Gujarat had the poll schedule been announced along with that for Himachal Pradesh.