India, Oct. 9 -- Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former union minister Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday waded into the controversy set off by the opposition's allegations that the Election Commission of India is being influenced by the ruling party.

Speaking at the sidelines of the 21st FICCI Higher Education Summit in New Delhi, the ex-BJP national president declined to take sides but said constitutional principles should be adhered to.

Responding to a question on the Opposition's ongoing protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Joshi said, "...I always say the government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth. (Abraham) Lincoln said this almost 200 years ago. Now I say that the government of ...