2 hrs ago
BJP Chief Ministers Rally Behind Election Chief Against Gandhi
The BJP organized press conferences across India to defend Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Its chief ministers said Rahul Gandhi was making unsupported accusations against the Election Commission.
Congress says the poll body made questionable decisions about updating voter lists.
A report said two election commissioners had objected to at least 14 decisions.
The Election Commission said these were disagreements that were resolved.
It also said the final decisions were unanimous.
Rahul Gandhi says the objections support his claim that elections were manipulated.
The BJP says the Election Commission’s explanations have answered the allegations.
Congress plans protests asking for Kumar’s removal.
Both sides are arguing about whether the election process and voter-list revision were fair.
The BJP deployed 12 chief ministers and other state leaders to defend Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar against Rahul Gandhi’s allegations.
Congress plans nationwide district-level protests demanding Kumar’s removal and reversal of decisions taken under his watch.
A report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected to at least 14 decisions over 10 months concerning voter-roll revision.
The Election Commission acknowledged disagreements but said all eventual decisions were unanimous and addressed the objections.
The BJP accused Gandhi and the INDIA bloc of trying to discredit constitutional institutions, while Congress said key questions remain unanswered.
- Who
- The BJP, its chief ministers and state leaders, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress, and the Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- The BJP launched a coordinated defense of Gyanesh Kumar, while Congress continued allegations about election irregularities and demanded his removal.
- Where
- Press conferences were held across Indian states, with additional statements from leaders in Delhi, Hyderabad, and other state capitals.
- When
- The BJP campaign took place on Sunday, ahead of Congress protests planned for Monday; the cited objections covered the previous 10 months.
- Why
- The BJP sought to reject allegations against the Election Commission, while Congress sought accountability over reported internal objections and voter-roll revision decisions.
Congress and Opposition Claims
BJP and Election Commission Response
Internal objections
Congress and Opposition Claims
Congress argues that reported objection letters from two election commissioners show that important concerns were not properly addressed.
BJP and Election Commission Response
The Election Commission says the objections were disagreements that were resolved and that the final decisions were unanimous.
Election integrity
Congress and Opposition Claims
Rahul Gandhi says his “vote chori” allegations were vindicated and has alleged manipulation of the 2024 Lok Sabha and recent state elections.
BJP and Election Commission Response
The BJP rejects claims of stolen votes or rigging and says the allegations are an attempt to defame an autonomous constitutional institution.
Chief Election Commissioner’s position
Congress and Opposition Claims
Congress wants Gyanesh Kumar removed and decisions taken under his watch reversed, saying key questions remain unanswered.
BJP and Election Commission Response
The BJP says Kumar and the Election Commission have adequately responded to the allegations and that questioning the institution in this manner is unjustified.
Key facts
- BJP response
- A dozen BJP chief ministers addressed the allegations in simultaneous state-level press conferences.
- Congress action
- Congress planned nationwide district-level protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
- Reported objections
- Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected to at least 14 decisions over 10 months.
- Election Commission position
- The EC said the objections reflected disagreements and that all final decisions were unanimous.
- Rahul Gandhi’s allegation
- Gandhi claimed that his “vote chori” allegations had been vindicated and alleged that elections had been rigged.
- BJP’s position
- The BJP said the EC’s press notes had answered the Opposition’s allegations and defended the institution’s autonomy.
- Protests target
- Congress demanded reversal of decisions taken under Kumar’s watch, including matters related to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
“Cleansing of the voter list is necessary, because 'booth capturing' no longer works in the country”
NDTV
“When the BJP won under Modi, it raised false claims of vote theft and rigging”
NDTV
Sources
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