1 hr ago
CPM Leader Alleges Election Chief Had Mandate to Manipulate Elections
A senior CPI(M) leader made serious accusations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He said Kumar was named in a suicide note from a person connected to a road project in Kerala.
The leader also alleged that the person had complained about harassment, bribe demands and delayed payments.
These claims have not received an immediate public response from the Election Commission.
Isaac said Kumar later became close to BJP leaders and was given a role to influence elections.
He also criticised how election officials are chosen and how voter lists are checked.
Another opposition leader, Tejashwi Yadav, said eligible voters were being left off the lists.
Left parties said they would begin a campaign about these concerns.
A pressure group separately demanded that Kumar resign.
CPI(M) leader T M Thomas Isaac alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was named in a suicide note during his earlier Kerala service.
Isaac said the note followed the suicide of a Malaysian construction-company director involved in a World Bank-funded road project and alleged harassment, bribery demands and delayed bills.
He also accused Kumar of later gaining BJP leadership’s confidence and receiving an explicit mandate to manipulate elections; the Election Commission gave no immediate response.
Isaac criticised the Election Commissioner appointment process and current voter-roll revision system, while citing alleged objections by other commissioners to electoral decisions.
The CPI(M) and Left parties announced a campaign, while Tejashwi Yadav and the Cockroach Janta Party separately called for action against the Election Commission and Kumar.
- Who
- CPI(M) leader T M Thomas Isaac made allegations about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; Tejashwi Yadav and the Cockroach Janta Party also criticised the Election Commission.
- What
- The allegations concern Kumar’s past conduct as a Kerala civil servant, the election commissioners’ appointment process, voter-roll revisions and alleged political influence over the Election Commission.
- Where
- The allegations relate mainly to Kerala and the Election Commission’s work in India; Tejashwi Yadav also referred to Bihar and elections in five states.
- When
- The statements were reported on Friday; the Left parties’ announced campaign is scheduled from September 26 to October 2.
- Why
- The speakers said they were responding to alleged voter exclusions, disputed electoral decisions and concerns about the Election Commission’s independence.
Critics of the Election Commission
Election Commission and Government Position
Alleged political influence
Critics of the Election Commission
Isaac alleged that Kumar gained the BJP leadership’s confidence and was given an explicit mandate to manipulate elections.
Election Commission and Government Position
The article reports no immediate response from the Election Commission and provides no government rebuttal to this specific allegation.
Voter-list revisions
Critics of the Election Commission
Isaac and Tejashwi Yadav alleged that eligible voters were being excluded and criticised technical personnel’s role in deciding voter eligibility.
Election Commission and Government Position
The article does not provide the Election Commission’s explanation of the voter-roll process or its response to these allegations.
Appointment process
Critics of the Election Commission
Isaac argued that excluding the Chief Justice of India while including a Union minister gives the prime minister a majority on the selection panel.
Election Commission and Government Position
The article describes the composition criticised by Isaac but does not include a response defending or explaining the current appointment system.
Key facts
- Main accuser
- T M Thomas Isaac, senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala finance minister
- Official named
- Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
- Past allegation
- Isaac said Kumar was named in a suicide note and faced a vigilance inquiry during his Kerala service
- Election Commission response
- No immediate reaction was reported
- Appointment criticism
- Isaac objected to the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India and inclusion of a Union minister on the selection panel
- Planned campaign
- The CPI(M) and Left parties said their campaign would run from September 26 through October 2
- Other demands
- Tejashwi Yadav called for cancellation of recent elections in five states, while the Cockroach Janta Party demanded Kumar’s resignation within 48 hours
Quotes
T M Thomas Isaac
Senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala finance minister
“He had recounted the harassment that he had to face. He even said bribes were asked, and bills were kept pending, and so on. And a kind of frustration; he was a very sensitive man, he died by suicide.”
telegraphindia.com
“I have no doubt regarding that. Because the systematic undermining of the electoral system, systematically step-by-step the measures are taken to do that, that cannot happen accidentally.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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