As the EC deadline for covering Mayawati's statues and the her elephants end at 5 pm, the CPI continuing with its criticism, termed the order as "irrational".
CPI national secretary D Raja, while appealing to the EC to ensure free and fair elections in the five poll-bound states, said that attempts by "certain sections" to use money and muscle power to woo voters must be checked.

Raja also said the EC should initiate steps to ensure "level-playing" field for all political parties in the ensuing elections in the states. The EC has announced a seven-phased poll in Uttar Pradesh between February 4 and 28, while assembly elections in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa will be held in a single-phase.