Terming the Congress party's suggestion as absurd and ridiculous, the Election Commission has outrightly rejected the Congress party's suggestion that lotus ponds in Madhya Pradesh should be banned as they could swing the poll in favour of the BJP.

The Election Commission has outrightly rejected the Congress party's suggestion that lotus ponds in Madhya Pradesh should be banned as they could swing the poll in favour of the BJP. The Commission went on to term the suggestion as 'absurd and ridiculous'.

Speaking to The Times of India, a senior Election Commission official said granting such a request would amount to undermining the intelligence of the voter: "Going by that argument, even handshakes should be banned as it could be interpreted as an act meant to disturb the level-playing field in favour of the Congress, which holds the 'hand' as poll symbol."

On Monday, The Jabalpur unit of the Congress had written to the Election Commission to ensure the all ponds in which lotuses are cultivated to be sold are hidden from public view so that it doesn’t influence voters’ choices.

The BJP was soon to hit back at the Congress saying their demand showed their 'mental bankruptcy'.

Party spokesperson Vishwas Sarang had said: It showed the “mental bankruptcy and despondency” of Congress. “It means people should start covering their hands because it is the symbol of the party,” he said.

The Congress based its demand on the Election Commission's directive during the Uttar Pradesh polls to cover elephant statues, the political symbol of the BSP, across Uttar Pradesh as it could swing the election in their favour.

Going by the logic to cover up elephants in Uttar Pradesh, we have also compiled a list of what else could be covered up during elections. Give it a read here.