Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Bengal BJP Chief Defends Gyanesh Kumar Amid Election Row
A political disagreement is growing around India’s chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
West Bengal BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya strongly praised him and said he deserves a major civilian award.
Bhattacharya said Kumar helped keep elections free from intimidation and helped clean voter lists.
He also claimed that names of Bangladeshi infiltrators were removed, though this is his political assertion.
Critics say two other election commissioners objected to decisions allegedly made in their names during a voter-list review.
A petition in the Supreme Court challenges some of those decisions and related software changes.
The petition also says more than 16.10 lakh appeals were filed against voters whose names had been restored.
Congress held protests calling for Kumar to step down.
Rahul Gandhi and other critics say the controversy threatens the fairness of elections, while BJP leaders continue to defend Kumar.
West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar deserves the Padma Bhushan, at minimum.
Bhattacharya credited Kumar with a violence-free election and with removing alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators from voter lists.
The controversy follows reports that two election commissioners objected to decisions allegedly taken in their names during the special intensive revision.
A Supreme Court petition challenges poll-related decisions, guidelines and software changes allegedly made without the concurrence of the other commissioners.
Congress protests demanded Kumar’s removal, while Rahul Gandhi accused senior leaders and the CEC of undermining democracy through alleged election rigging.
- Who
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress and BJP leaders are central to the dispute.
- What
- BJP leaders are defending Kumar amid allegations that election-panel decisions, appeals and software changes were made without the concurrence of the other commissioners.
- When
- The latest comments and Congress protests took place on Friday, after criticism and a resignation demand on Thursday.
- Where
- Bhattacharya spoke in Panihati near Kolkata, West Bengal; protests took place in several parts of India, while the court challenge was filed in the Supreme Court.
- Why
- The dispute concerns the Election Commission of India’s functioning during the special intensive revision of voter lists and allegations that decisions were made without required approval or knowledge.
Critics and Opposition
BJP Defenders
Election Commission decisions
Critics and Opposition
Critics allege that decisions, appeals and software changes were made in the name of the Election Commission without the knowledge or authorization of the other two commissioners and the West Bengal chief electoral officer.
BJP Defenders
BJP leaders say differing views during official deliberations demonstrate that the Election Commission is functioning democratically and have publicly defended Kumar.
Voter-list revision
Critics and Opposition
Opponents are challenging the special intensive revision and the large number of appeals allegedly filed against voters whose names had been restored by judicial officers.
BJP Defenders
Bhattacharya says Kumar helped cleanse West Bengal’s voter list by removing alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators and deserves public support.
Kumar’s position
Critics and Opposition
Congress and the Cockroach Janta Party have demanded that Kumar resign or be removed, while Rahul Gandhi has alleged that elections are being rigged and democracy is being damaged.
BJP Defenders
Bhattacharya and other BJP leaders praise Kumar, crediting him with limiting intimidation and enabling people to vote.
- BJP leader
- Samik Bhattacharya is the president of the West Bengal BJP.
- Award mentioned
- The Padma Bhushan is India’s third-highest civilian award.
- Bhattacharya’s claim
- He said Gyanesh Kumar helped prevent intimidation, supported voting and removed alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators from voter lists.
- Contested process
- The dispute centers on the special intensive revision of voter rolls.
- Court petition
- A Supreme Court plea challenges poll-related decisions, guidelines and software changes allegedly made without the concurrence of two election commissioners.
- Appeals cited
- 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 removal or resignation, while Rahul Gandhi accused officials of damaging democracy.
