“You cannot act unilaterally”: Minister demands CEC resignation
Karnataka Minister Ajay Dharam Singh calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, alleging unilateral decisions and lack of consensus within the ECI.
In a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), Karnataka Minister Ajay Dharam Singh has demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking to the media on Monday, the Minister alleged that the poll watchdog is making unilateral decisions, undermining the democratic process.
Opposition United Against ECI
Minister Singh emphasized that the concerns regarding the ECI's functioning are not limited to the Congress Party alone. He claimed that a sense of unity has emerged across the political spectrum, with the entire Opposition raising questions about the current leadership of the commission.
“Not only the Congress Party, but the entire opposition is together now. I think Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, has to resign,” Singh stated, highlighting the growing tension between political parties and the electoral body.
Allegations of Internal Dissent and Lack of Consensus
The Minister raised serious questions regarding the internal dynamics of the three-member Election Commission. He pointed toward reports suggesting a significant lack of consensus among the members, which he believes points to a breakdown in the decision-making process.
Singh highlighted the following concerns regarding the commission's internal workings:
- The existence of a three-member body where consensus appears to be missing.
- Reports that two commissioners have raised formal objections to decisions made by the panel.
- The claim that approximately 14 letters of objection have been written over the last 10 months.
The Minister argued that such frequent dissent within a constitutional body is a sign of deep-seated issues, asserting that the Chief Election Commissioner must answer for these perceived unilateral actions.
Echoes of Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations
The Minister's remarks follow similar criticisms from other Congress leaders. On Sunday, Karnataka Congress President BK Hariprasad voiced support for allegations made by Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Chief Election Commissioner of acting against the interests of the Constitutional body.
Hariprasad specifically mentioned that internal friction has become evident through dissenting notes recorded by fellow commissioners. He alleged that Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi had expressed dissent nearly 14 times regarding the affairs within the commission, suggesting a pattern of disagreement with the current leadership's direction.
As the controversy intensifies, the demand for transparency grows, with Singh concluding that the Election Commission is ultimately accountable to the citizens of India and must provide clear answers to the questions being raised.