New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS): The CPI-M on Friday called the Election Commission's reasoning behind declaring the poll schedule in Himachal Pradesh but not Gujarat as "strange".

"It is strange that the Election Commission has announced the date of election for Himachal Pradesh Assembly while withholding the announcement of date for Gujarat Assembly elections," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

Usually when elections are due within a period of six months, these states are combined and a joint announcement is made, it said. "This has been the practice followed so far."

After the announcement of poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in Himachal Pradesh, but not in Gujarat.

"The Chief Election Commissioner has announced that the Gujarat polls will be held before the results of Himachal Pradesh elections are declared on December 18. 

"This is even stranger if Gujarat Assembly elections are to be completed before December 18, then the Model Code of Conduct must be applicable to that state as well," the CPI-M said.