New Delhi, October 7 (Daily Kiran) : Congress MP Ranjit Ranjan has voiced strong concerns regarding allegations of vote tampering and the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking in New Delhi, Ranjan stated that while the party has historically taken pride in the Election Commission’s independence, recent actions have raised serious doubts about its integrity, suggesting that certain officials are acting under the influence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ranjan emphasized that the opposition has been raising these issues for nearly two years under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. He noted that the Congress party, along with other opposition members, has consistently presented evidence indicating irregularities in the electoral process. “The Election Commission is an independent agency that we have always respected. However, the current Chief Election Commissioner is allegedly colluding with the government,” he remarked.
He pointed to recent comments from the Supreme Court as critical evidence of the Commission’s missteps. According to Ranjan, a Supreme Court judge expressed concerns that approvals related to Form 6 were not communicated to them, highlighting the growing number of appeals as further proof of the Commission’s failings. He described Gyanesh Kumar as a puppet acting on the BJP’s directives.
Ranjit Ranjan also criticized the unprecedented situation where the opposition has sought a meeting with the Election Commission, only to be denied. “It has never happened in the history of democracy that the opposition requests a meeting and is refused,” he stated. He accused the Commission of failing to address doubts raised about its operations.
Furthermore, Ranjan questioned why BJP leaders are defending the Election Commission instead of it speaking for itself. “Is it not the Commission’s responsibility to clarify its position directly?” he asked, expressing frustration over Gyanesh Kumar’s absence from public discourse.
Accusing the Commission of making errors at the government’s behest, he suggested that there is a hidden agenda to manipulate voter access to maintain power. “If the Election Commission is genuine, Gyanesh Kumar should be addressing these issues publicly. Why is the government stepping in?” he inquired.
Ranjit Ranjan reiterated that the opposition’s demands are clear: Gyanesh Kumar must resign, the recent SIR should be revoked, and elections should revert to using ballot papers. He noted that the opposition intended to present these demands publicly but felt hindered by the government’s actions to shield Kumar.
In response to a recent statement by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who accused opposition parties of staging drama, Ranjan retorted that the focus should remain on the alleged irregularities within the Election Commission. “We are questioning Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership and the discrepancies that have arisen under his watch,” he stated, urging Kumar to present evidence of his integrity rather than delegating responses to others.
Ranjan concluded by asserting that if the Election Commission continues to be perceived as a puppet of the BJP, the opposition’s claims, echoed by Rahul Gandhi, will only gain credibility.
Leave a Comment