AAP to skip INDIA bloc meeting on SIR row but will back CEC impeachment
Sanjay Singh clarifies AAP's stance on the INDIA bloc meeting and their support for the impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially decided to stay away from the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting scheduled to take place in Delhi this Wednesday. The meeting, convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), aims to deliberate on potential nationwide protests regarding alleged electoral irregularities. However, AAP has signaled a distinct shift in its participation strategy.
Sanjay Singh clarifies AAP's stance on alliance
Speaking to the media, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh made it clear that the party does not intend to participate in the bloc's deliberations. He emphasized that the party has already established its position regarding its relationship with the alliance.
“The Aam Aadmi Party has already made it clear that we are not part of the INDIA alliance, so there is no point in attending such a meeting,” Singh stated.
Despite skipping the meeting, Singh confirmed that the party is not distancing itself from the core issue involving the Election Commission. He revealed that the AAP has already signed the impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Support for impeachment motion in Parliament
While the party is opting out of the formal alliance meeting, Singh promised unity when it comes to legislative action. He noted that if the impeachment motion against the CEC is officially brought to the floor of Parliament, the AAP will stand in solidarity with other opposition groups.
“If an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar is brought in Parliament and any action is taken, we will join hands with all the opposition parties and fight this battle together,” Singh added.
Allegations of Congress troubling Samajwadi Party
The political tension extended beyond the Election Commission as Singh addressed reports regarding Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party (SP) maintaining distance from the opposition gathering. Singh directed sharp criticism toward the Congress, alleging that they are causing difficulties for the SP in Uttar Pradesh.
Singh questioned the Congress party's intentions in the state, pointing to conflicting statements regarding seat sharing. He highlighted the confusion caused by Congress's varying claims about the number of seats they intend to contest.
- Singh noted that Congress has made contradictory statements, ranging from wanting 150 seats to potentially contesting all 403 seats.
- He raised the question of whether the Congress is truly fighting the BJP or if they are effectively competing against the Samajwadi Party.
- "Their statements make it seem as though they are fighting the Samajwadi Party," Singh remarked.
Background on the SIR controversy
The current political storm follows an investigative report suggesting internal friction within the Election Commission. The report indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over a 10-month period concerning decisions and procedures related to the SIR exercise.
In response to these allegations, the Election Commission has dismissed the idea that these objections constitute institutional dissent. The Commission maintains that all decisions pertaining to the SIR were reached through unanimous approval.