CEC 'Front for Diabolical PM-HM Duo', Affront to Constitution: Congress

Congress Escalates Attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Congress stepped up its criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on September 28 amid the continuing dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh called for Kumar's resignation and accused him of acting in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution. These are allegations made by Congress and are not established judicial findings.

Jairam Ramesh Uses Strong Language Against CEC

Ramesh described Kumar as a "front" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and called his continuation in office an issue concerning the constitutional system.

He said the resignation of the CEC should be the first step in what Congress described as a broader effort to address its concerns about the electoral process.

Congress Questions ECI's Role in Citizenship Issues

A central part of Ramesh's criticism concerned citizenship verification under SIR.

Ramesh cited an interview with former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, who, according to Ramesh, said that determining citizenship is not the Election Commission's responsibility.

Ramesh argued that citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955, as amended by Parliament, and questioned the ECI's role in addressing citizenship-related issues during electoral-roll revision.

Congress Raises Form 6 Concerns

Ramesh also alleged that changes to Form 6, which is used for applications to include names in electoral rolls, could affect young voters.

Congress has particularly raised concerns about people belonging to Gen Z and alleged that changes in the voter-enrolment process could result in eligible voters being excluded. The Election Commission has disputed Congress's interpretation of the process.

Dispute Over Special Intensive Revision

The latest Congress criticism is part of a wider political dispute over SIR.

Congress has alleged that the electoral-roll revision process could lead to large-scale exclusion of eligible voters. The party has also criticised the Election Commission's recent measures, describing them as insufficient to address what it calls mass disenfranchisement.

Election Commission Says SIR Orders Were Unanimous

The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that reported differences among its members demonstrate a breakdown in decision-making.

The poll panel said differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations. It has also maintained that all SIR-related orders received unanimous approval from the three commissioners and have full legal sanction under established statutory procedures.

Reports of Objections by Two Election Commissioners

The controversy intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions concerning aspects of the SIR process.

According to a report cited by the Congress and other media outlets, the two commissioners had raised concerns at least 14 times over roughly 10 months. The reported issues included electoral-roll decisions and aspects of the voter-enrolment process.

The Election Commission has disputed the interpretation of these reports and said the commissioners' communications related to an officer on deputation rather than policy or IT matters.

Congress Plans Further Action

The latest statement comes ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called the meeting to discuss the issue and formulate a strategy concerning Kumar's removal. The Opposition INDIA bloc is also expected to meet on September 30 to discuss a joint course of action.

K C Venugopal Also Raises Allegations

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal separately alleged that there was a conspiracy involving Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Venugopal said Congress would discuss its next steps at the CWC meeting and that INDIA bloc parties would subsequently coordinate their response. These statements are political allegations and have not been established as facts by a court.

Protests Over CEC Continue

The political dispute has also triggered protests by Congress workers in several parts of the country.

Demonstrations have been reported in Delhi, Bihar, Assam, Telangana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and other states, with protesters demanding Kumar's resignation and raising concerns over SIR and electoral-roll revisions.

Key Takeaways

• Congress has intensified its criticism of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR electoral-roll revision.

• Jairam Ramesh demanded Kumar's resignation and accused him of violating constitutional principles.

• Congress questioned the ECI's role in matters concerning citizenship during SIR.

• The party has also raised concerns over changes to Form 6 and possible exclusion of young voters.

• The Election Commission says SIR decisions were taken through established procedures and received unanimous approval.

• Reports of objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have become a major part of the political dispute.

• Congress's CWC meeting on September 29 is expected to discuss a strategy concerning the CEC.

• The Opposition INDIA bloc is expected to meet subsequently to discuss its response.