'Arrest Gyanesh Kumar, BJP destroying institutions': Tejashwi Yadav
Tejashwi Yadav demands the arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the BJP of destroying institutions and orchestrating vote theft.
In a scathing attack on the central authorities, Bihar Assembly Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has demanded the immediate arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of systematically dismantling constitutional institutions to ensure electoral victories through alleged "vote theft."
Allegations of Systematic Vote Theft
Speaking to the media, Yadav claimed that the Election Commission's integrity has been laid bare before the public. He alleged that a specific pattern of electoral manipulation has been used to facilitate BJP's wins, a practice he believes began in Bihar before being scaled up nationally.
"The method of vote theft has been exposed by two Election Commissioners themselves," Yadav stated, referring to recent reports regarding internal dissent within the commission. He argued that if constitutional bodies can be manipulated to orchestrate such activities, the very foundation of the country's democracy is at risk.
The Spark: Internal Dissent and Investigative Reports
The political firestorm follows an investigative report by The Indian Express. The report highlighted that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over a 10-month period. These objections were specifically linked to decisions and procedures involving the SIR exercise, suggesting significant internal friction regarding how electoral processes are being managed.
INDIA Bloc Rallies Against Electoral Irregularities
The RJD is not standing alone in these accusations. The INDIA bloc has scheduled a crucial meeting at the Constitution Club in Delhi to deliberate on these alleged irregularities. Yadav confirmed that his party will participate to present their views and coordinate a unified opposition response.
The opposition's fury was echoed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who arrived in Delhi specifically for the meeting. Banerjee launched a personal attack on the CEC, even giving him a derogatory nickname.
- Mamata Banerjee's Stance: She accused the CEC and his technical team of cheating the public, mockingly referring to him as "Vanish Kumar."
- Proposed Action: Opposition leaders are expected to discuss a potential nationwide protest to challenge the current electoral framework.
- The Core Demand: A unified call for accountability regarding the conduct of the Chief Election Commissioner.
As the INDIA bloc prepares for its high-stakes deliberations, the tension between the opposition and the central administration reaches a boiling point, with the very sanctity of the voting process at the heart of the conflict.