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Bengal BJP Chief Praises Gyanesh Kumar Amid Election Commission Row
A political argument is growing about India’s chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
A West Bengal BJP leader praised Kumar and said he deserves one of India’s highest civilian awards.
He said Kumar helped voters cast ballots and removed alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators from voter lists.
Critics say some election decisions may have been made without the knowledge of the other election commissioners.
They also question appeals filed against voters whose names had been restored by judicial officers.
A petition about these claims has been filed in the Supreme Court.
Rahul Gandhi said elections were being rigged and accused senior officials of harming democracy.
The Congress organized protests calling for Kumar to resign.
Kumar and his supporters have received public backing from several BJP leaders.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar deserves the Padma Bhushan.
Bhattacharya defended Kumar’s handling of elections and voter-list changes in West Bengal.
Opponents allege that election-panel decisions, appeals and software changes were made without the other commissioners’ approval.
A Supreme Court petition challenges guidelines, decisions and software changes allegedly made during the special intensive revision.
Congress held protests demanding Kumar’s resignation, while Rahul Gandhi accused officials of undermining Indian democracy.
- Who
- Gyanesh Kumar, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress and other BJP leaders are central to the dispute.
- What
- BJP leaders are defending Kumar amid allegations about unauthorized election-panel decisions and voter-list changes during the special intensive revision.
- Where
- The comments were made near Kolkata, while protests occurred in several places across India; the allegations concern West Bengal and the Election Commission of India.
- When
- The latest comments and protests took place on Friday, following a disclosure and political statements on Thursday.
- Why
- The controversy concerns alleged decisions, appeals and software changes made without the concurrence or knowledge of the other election commissioners.
Critics and Opposition
BJP Defenders
Election-panel decisions
Critics and Opposition
Critics allege that decisions, appeals and software changes were made in Kumar’s name without the knowledge or authorization of the other two election commissioners and the West Bengal chief electoral officer.
BJP Defenders
BJP leaders defend Kumar’s conduct and say he helped ensure that voters could cast ballots without intimidation.
Voter-list revision
Critics and Opposition
Opponents are challenging the voter-list process and allege that large numbers of appeals were filed against voters whose names had been restored.
BJP Defenders
Bhattacharya said Kumar properly removed the names of alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators from West Bengal’s voter lists.
Kumar’s position
Critics and Opposition
The Congress and the Cockroach Janta Party have called for Kumar to resign, while Rahul Gandhi accused senior officials of damaging democracy.
BJP Defenders
Samik Bhattacharya and several other BJP leaders have publicly praised and defended Kumar.
Key facts
- BJP spokesperson
- Samik Bhattacharya, president of the West Bengal BJP
- Praise for Kumar
- Bhattacharya said Gyanesh Kumar deserves the Padma Bhushan, at minimum
- Election process
- The dispute involves a special intensive revision of voter lists
- Court challenge
- A petition in the Supreme Court challenges decisions, guidelines and software changes allegedly made without approval
- West Bengal appeals
- The petition claims more than 16.10 lakh appeals were filed against voters whose names had been restored by judicial officers
- Opposition response
- Congress protests demanded Kumar’s resignation
- Award referenced
- The Padma Bhushan is India’s third-highest civilian award
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
President of the BJP in West Bengal
“Gyanesh Kumar deserves, at the very least, the Padma Bhushan. The people of West Bengal are delighted that, after so long, intimidation was kept at bay. There were no incidents of murder, and people were actually allowed to cast their votes.”
telegraphindia.com
“Furthermore, in a border state like this, Gyanesh Kumar took the initiative to remove the names of Bangladeshi infiltrators from the voter lists.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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