CEC Gyanesh faces fresh Oppn heat: CWC passes resolution, BJP refutes charges as SC agrees to hear plea on ECI functioning; INDIA Bloc to hold meet on Sep 30
Congress CWC passes resolution demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and suspension of SIR over alleged electoral roll manipulations.
The political standoff over the integrity of India's electoral process intensified on Tuesday as the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a formal resolution demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition's move follows serious allegations regarding electoral irregularities and the mass removal of voters from electoral rolls.
CWC Demands Resignation Amid "Grave Danger to Democracy"
During a high-level meeting at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi, top leaders including Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and senior leader Sonia Gandhi deliberated on what they described as a "grave danger to our democracy."
The CWC passed several resolutions targeting the current functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Key demands include:
- The immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- The suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
- The restoration of 13 crore 30 lakh names that the party claims have been unlawfully removed from the electoral rolls.
The Congress party alleged that the electoral process is being captured by the RSS-BJP with the purported support of the ECI. The party further claimed that the CEC has turned the commission into a "one-man show," making unilateral decisions without consulting the other Election Commissioners.
Allegations of "Vote Chori" and Institutional Erosion
The CWC's resolution echoed previous warnings from Rahul Gandhi regarding "Vote Chori" (vote theft). The Congress highlighted several areas of concern, including:
- Selective enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
- Discrepancies in the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- The legality of the new process for appointing the CEC.
- The granting of lifelong immunity to the CEC.
Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the current administration, accusing the Modi government of systematically hollowing out India's democratic foundations over the last 12 years. He further characterized the CEC as a "puppet" of the BJP.
Adding to the pressure, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated that the CEC has "no moral right" to remain in office following allegations of voter list manipulation. He suggested that such actions are carried out under the direction of higher authorities, noting that two Election Commissioners had previously raised objections regarding the SIR exercise.
Controversy Surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The controversy is fueled by investigative reports suggesting that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has led to the removal of a staggering 13 crore 30 lakh individuals from the voter lists. Reports have also indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised at least 14 objections over a ten-month period regarding procedures linked to the SIR exercise.
Congress MP Kumari Selja announced that the party would launch a massive movement led by Rahul Gandhi to protest the weakening of constitutional institutions, asserting that the movement would continue until equal rights are secured for all citizens.
BJP Rejects Allegations as Legal Battle Looms
While the opposition ramps up its pressure, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has refuted all charges, defending the integrity of the Election Commission. As the political rhetoric escalates, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea concerning the functioning of the ECI, setting the stage for a significant judicial review of the country's electoral oversight.