"Throwing mud on EC amounts to throwing mud on democracy": BJP's Prakash Reddy amid SIR row
BJP leader Prakash Reddy slams Opposition for criticizing the Election Commission, calling the attacks an assault on India's democracy and Constitution.
In a sharp rebuttal to the Opposition's recent criticisms of the Election Commission of India (ECI), BJP leader Prakash Reddy has declared that attacking the poll panel is equivalent to undermining the very foundations of Indian democracy and the Constitution.
The remarks come at a time of heightened political tension following reports regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Reddy's comments specifically targeted the Congress party, suggesting that their recent criticisms stem from an inability to connect with the public or meet people's expectations.
Institutions Matter More Than Individuals
Addressing the media, Reddy emphasized that the integrity of constitutional bodies must be protected from political vendettas. He argued that political figures are transient, whereas the institutions they serve are permanent and vital to the nation's stability.
"We individuals are not important to the system. The system is important, the institutions are important. So when the institutions are functioning, let us not disturb the institutional functions," Reddy stated. He further clarified that while Opposition parties have every right to voice grievances, they must refrain from targeting the electoral methodology or the Commission itself.
Response to the SIR Controversy
The controversy erupted following an Indian Express report alleging that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on numerous occasions regarding decisions related to the SIR process. These reported disagreements reportedly touched upon:
- The handling of Form 6.
- The deletion of voters from rolls.
- Access to electoral-roll databases.
Reddy dismissed these reports as being based on assumptions, specifically pointing toward reactions from leaders like Rahul Gandhi. He asserted that the public has witnessed the true functioning of the Commission and that the Election Commission remains aligned with the aspirations of the Indian people.
The Election Commission's Stand
While the Opposition has used these reports to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission has moved to clarify its position. The poll body has rejected the notion that these internal discussions constitute institutional dissent.
According to the Commission, the queries and suggestions raised during the draft stages are a standard part of the administrative and decision-making process. The ECI maintains that all final decisions, including those concerning the SIR, are reached unanimously with the approval of all three commissioners.
Opposition Plans a Strategic Meeting
The political fallout continues to grow as several major parties, including the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Trinamool Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT), have voiced their dissatisfaction.
Dipankar Bhattacharya, the general secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation, has indicated that an INDIA bloc meeting is scheduled for September 30. This meeting is expected to focus heavily on the SIR exercise and the overall functioning of the Election Commission. Bhattacharya has also suggested that the discussion could potentially extend beyond the immediate bloc partners.