3 hrs ago
BJP Says Differing Election Commission Views Show Democracy
The BJP discussed a report about disagreements among election commissioners.
The party said such disagreements are normal in a democracy.
The report concerned work on revising voter lists across India.
It said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised concerns about several issues.
One concern involved deleting names from voter lists.
Opposition parties had accused the Election Commission and government of acting dictatorially.
The BJP rejected those accusations as baseless.
It said discussion among officials shows that constitutional bodies are working democratically.
The BJP said differing views among election commissioners reflect democratic functioning.
Its comments followed a report about deliberations during the pan-India Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.
The report said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised multiple issues, including deletion of names.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the report undermines opposition claims that the Election Commission is dictatorial.
The BJP said the Election Commission and other constitutional bodies are functioning democratically.
- Who
- The BJP, election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, and opposition parties.
- What
- The BJP defended differing views among election commissioners as evidence of democratic functioning.
- Where
- At the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.
- When
- Wednesday, September 23, according to the report.
- Why
- The BJP was responding to a media report and opposition allegations that the Election Commission and government were dictatorial.
BJP's Position
Opposition's Allegations
Meaning of differing views
BJP's Position
The BJP said disagreement among election commissioners reflects communication, debate, and pure democracy.
Opposition's Allegations
Opposition parties had alleged that the Election Commission was dictatorial and that its officials were effectively government 'yes men'.
Conduct of constitutional bodies
BJP's Position
The BJP said the Election Commission and other constitutional bodies are functioning democratically and upholding democracy.
Opposition's Allegations
Opposition parties accused the poll panel and government of dictatorial conduct, allegations the BJP called baseless.
Key facts
- Political party
- BJP
- Spokesperson
- Sambit Patra
- Election commissioners named
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi
- Issue under discussion
- The pan-India Special Intensive Revision of voter lists
- Reported concern
- Multiple issues, including deletion of names
- BJP's position
- Differing official views demonstrate democratic functioning
- Opposition allegation
- The Election Commission and government were acting dictatorially
Quotes
Sambit Patra
BJP spokesperson who addressed the press conference
“If there is no communication and exchange of views among the election commissioners who conduct polls, the opposition parties would allege ‘dictatorship’ and call them ‘yes men’ of the government.”
theprint.in
“The media reports saying that the election commissioners shared differing views in official deliberations is a reflection of pure democracy.”
theprint.in
Sources
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