NDA Leaders Defend Chief Election Commissioner Amid Resignation Demands from Opposition
NDA leaders respond to opposition calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation, asserting lack of evidence and political motives.
New Delhi, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : Opposition leaders have intensified their calls for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, prompting a strong response from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders. BJP leader Pratul Shahdev defended Kumar, stating that legal protections are granted to the Election Commission as a whole, not just to an individual commissioner. He emphasized that these safeguards are vital for preserving the independence of constitutional institutions, ensuring that election commissioners are not targeted regardless of the ruling government.
Shahdev highlighted past controversies, mentioning the identification of alleged Afghan voters during Hemant Soren’s government in Jamshedpur as a key issue. He criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming her administration has targeted certain groups and is unlikely to return to power. He dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demands for Kumar’s resignation as baseless, asserting that the Election Commission has clarified all relevant issues.
JDU leader Shyam Rajak echoed these sentiments, stating that all questions regarding the Election Commission have been adequately addressed by Kumar and his fellow commissioners. He argued that those continuing to raise concerns lack both evidence and rationale, urging that their claims be taken less seriously.
Rajak further commented on the ‘India’ coalition, suggesting that their desperation has reached such a level that they disregard constitutional norms and the electorate’s interests in their quest for power.
In response to the opposition’s demands, BJP leader Ram Kadam stated that India is progressing, and the Modi government cannot be criticized without substantive issues and facts. He challenged the opposition to provide evidence for their claims regarding the Special Investigation Report (SIR) and questioned their objections to removing deceased individuals from the voter list.
JDU MP Kaushalendra Kumar remarked that the opposition’s one-sided accusations are evident, particularly after Banerjee’s electoral defeat and her party’s fragmentation, suggesting that they should engage more with the public.
