‘CEC Gyanesh Kumar must resign’

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Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reiterated his demand for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following an Indian Express report that two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had formally recorded objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the key conspirators in what he described as “vote theft” and said they would be investigated.

His press conference followed reports that the two Election Commissioners had objected to major decisions being made in the name of the full Election Commission without their knowledge, with some decisions described as “unauthorised and illegal”.

The ECI, however, said on Wednesday that all its actions were in accordance with laws and the Commission’s instructions. It said highlighting internal notes and observations recorded over 10 months, while overlooking the larger body of approvals, decisions and initiatives, presented only “one part of the picture”. The Commission maintained that differing views and observations were a normal part of deliberations.

Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi, Shah

Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi and Amit Shah of undermining democracy and referred to them as “deshdrohis”, alleging that they had damaged the country’s electoral system.

Playing videos at the press conference, he asked people to listen to statements by the Prime Minister and Home Minister. Referring to remarks about the BJP remaining in power for decades and the “Abki Baar 400 Paar” slogan, 

he argued that such statements were inconsistent with the democratic principle of anti-incumbency.

“In India, there is a fundamental force called anti-incumbency which starts to resist and it does not spare anybody,” he said.

‘Vote theft’ linked to laws

The leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi linked his allegations of “vote chori” to what he described as a wider erosion of the legal and institutional system.

“I want to emphasise, from ‘vote chori’ comes ‘kanun chori’. Because if the vote is stolen, the legal structure is gone. And from ‘kanun chori’ come institutions. And this is the chain that is taking place,” he said.

He argued that if MPs were elected through stolen votes, the legitimacy of laws passed by Parliament would also be compromised.

Demands CEC’s resignation

Rahul Gandhi called for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate resignation and alleged that the CEC was responsible for “chaos and damage” to the voting system. He said PM Modi and Mr. Shah would be investigated over the alleged conspiracy and urged Mr. Kumar to cooperate with the process.

“The two ECs have done wise things. Gyanesh Kumar should think seriously and turn in the approver, it’ll be in the country’s interest,” he said.

Constitution ‘destroyed’

Gandhi also claimed that the Constitution and laws had been undermined following the reported objections by the two Election Commissioners.

“Our Constitution has been destroyed. It no longer has its power. It no longer functions. If our Constitution has been destroyed and our laws are illegal. If our laws are illegal, our institutions are meaningless,” he said.

He described the developments as an attack on the democratic system and citizens’ ability to express themselves through elections.

CJP threatens ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he had undermined voter rights. It warned of a nationwide agitation, including “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, if he did not step down within two days.