Congress MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the ruling party of “capturing” the Election Commission of India and in doing so, destroying the world’s greatest democracy that is India.
Addressing the Lok Sabha during the debate on electoral reforms, the Gandhi scion alleged that the ECI is colluding with those in power.
“Election Commission is colluding with those in power…The BJP is directing and using the ECI to damage democracy,” Rahul charged.
The LoP also asked why the Chief Justice of India was removed from the panel to appoint Election Commissioners. “Why CJI removed from ECI selection, what motivation, do we not believe him?” he asked.
The Congress leader was referring to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The law replaced the CJI with a Cabinet Minister in the three-member panel to select the Chief Election Commissioner.
He also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for changing law to give immunity to CEC from punishment for any action the take while in office. “This is a devastating one. No Prime Minister has done this in the history of India,” he said.
“Why would the Prime Minister and Home Minister give this gift of immunity to the Election Commissioner? Why would they need to give this tremendous gift that no prime minister has ever given before to the Election Commissioner,” he asked.
He further asked why did the government bring a law that allows the ECI to destroy CCTV footage of polling booths 45 days after the election. “What is the need? The answer given is that it is a question of data. But it is not a question of data. It is a question of stealing the election.”
Rahul’s suggestions for electoral reforms
Rahul said that electoral reforms are very simple but government doesn’t want to do it.
He reiterated the Congress party’s demands that the ECI should provide every party with machine-readable voter list one month before the election.
He also demanded the government take back the law that allows ECI to destroy CCTV footage and give access to the EVM.
He also suggested that the government change the law that allows the Election Commissioner to get away with whatever they want to do. “That’s all the electoral reforms you need,” he said.
Warning to those “stealing” elections
The LoP declared that the Congress will change the law and will find those who “stole” the election.
“I want to assure the Election Commissioner that they might be under the impression that this law lets them get away with it. Let me remind them: don’t worry, we are going to change the law, and that too retroactively. And we are going to come and find you,” he added.