Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and accused him of acting as an 'approver' due to alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He also accused several high-profile individuals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Kumar himself of being 'conspirators' in stealing votes.
On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference in Delhi where he displayed photos of several high-profile individuals including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Gandhi accused these individuals of being 'conspirators' in stealing votes.
The controversy revolves around the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, during which election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had reportedly objected 14 times to decisions related to the SIR over a period of 10 months. Their objections were primarily related to the registration of new voters, changes to Form 6, appeals against the inclusion of voters in West Bengal and the handling of voter data in Goa, among other matters.
According to an investigation by The Indian Express, one written objection by Sukhbir Singh Sandhu stated that the poll panel had acted against their advice and described the action as 'unauthorised and illegal'. Additionally, concerns were raised over access to the digital electoral roll database.
In one written objection, Sandhu was quoted as having stated that the poll panel had acted against the advice of both commissioners and described the action as ‘unauthorised and illegal’. Gandhi also accused these individuals of being 'conspirators' in stealing votes. He alleged that anti-incumbency had ‘disappeared’ from several states in the country because the votes had been stolen.
Gandhi further stated that if ‘votes are destroyed’, then ‘our Constitution has been destroyed’. ‘It no longer has its power,’ said the Congress leader. ‘If our Constitution is destroyed, our laws are illegal, and our institutions are attacked.’
Opposition parties have called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the matter. The Election Commission has responded by stating that differences in opinions and observations are a normal part of decision-making within any institution.
Source:
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