"Insulting democracy, disrespecting public mandate is in Congress DNA": Shivraj Singh Chouhan amid ECI row
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleges Congress seeks to weaken democracy and institutions whenever they face electoral defeat.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, alleging that disrespecting the public mandate and attacking constitutional institutions is embedded in the party's "DNA."
The senior BJP leader made these remarks amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the broader debate regarding the Election Commission of India (ECI).
'An Old Habit of Congress'
In a video shared on his X handle, Chouhan claimed that the Congress party has developed a pattern of defaming the nation's poll watchdog whenever election results do not go their way. He asserted that while India's democracy remains one of the strongest globally, the opposition consistently attempts to undermine it.
"Insulting the people's mandate upon defeat is an old habit of Congress; it is in Congress's DNA," Chouhan alleged. He further stated that the party seeks to weaken constitutional institutions and spread mistrust in democratic processes to suit its political narrative.
Chouhan also took aim at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, suggesting that his recent remarks against the Prime Minister were made at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. He described such rhetoric as an attempt to "create anarchy across the nation."
Questioning the Opposition's Logic
The Union Minister questioned the selective acceptance of the Election Commission by the opposition. He pointed out a perceived hypocrisy in how the Congress views the poll body based on election outcomes.
"What kind of talk is this from Congress? If Congress wins an election, the Election Commission is fine, but if they lose, the Election Commission is flawed?" Chouhan asked. He reminded the opposition of their recent victories, asking, "After all, how did they win in Karnataka? How did they win in Telangana? How did they win in Himachal Pradesh?"
The EVM vs. Ballot Paper Debate
Addressing the opposition's demand to move away from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in favor of returning to ballot papers, Chouhan warned that such a move would be a regression for the country. He linked the demand for ballot papers to the era of electoral malpractice seen in previous decades.
- Historical Context: Chouhan reminded citizens of the 1980s and 90s when polling booths were frequently "captured."
- Fraud Risks: He noted that during the era of ballot papers, a single individual could stamp multiple papers to manipulate results.
- Technological Progress: He argued that technology ensures transparency and questioned why the Congress opposes modern, efficient processes.
Defending the Appointment Process
Chouhan defended the current framework for appointing Election Commissioners, noting that it is now governed by an Act of Parliament. He contrasted this with the era of Congress rule, where he claimed the Prime Minister held sole authority over such appointments.
He concluded by calling the opposition's actions a "sin" against democracy, asserting that the people of India would eventually respond to these attempts to destabilize institutions through their votes.
Background on the ECI Controversy
The political row follows reports suggesting internal friction within the poll body. According to reports, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on various occasions regarding electoral rolls, voter registration, and technology systems over a ten-month period.
However, the Election Commission of India has dismissed claims of institutional dissent. The ECI clarified that administrative queries and operational suggestions during draft stages are standard procedures and emphasized that all final decisions are reached unanimously.