Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while reiterating his earlier claims of “vote chori”.
The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha cited states like Haryana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, questioning how the anti-incumbency in these states had “disappeared.”
Gandhi’s address came after an investigative report from The Indian Express newspaper stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections to decisions taken in the commission’s name at least 14 times over 10 months.
The Congress MP further said that the two Election Commissioners had “done a wise thing”, while adding that the CEC must “think seriously and turn approver.”
‘Gave dissent note during CEC appointment’
Gandhi said that he had given a dissent note during the CEC appointment process, saying it should be independent and free from executive control. However, he claimed his note was “junked.”
The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India is currently governed by the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. A three-member high-level committee, including the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union cabinet minister nominated by the PM recommends names to the President for the final appointment.
‘Fundamental question for us’: Rahul on anti-incumbency
Gandhi mentioned the names of some states when speaking about the anti-incumbency factor, claiming it had “disappeared” in swing states.
“Haryana swings from one party to another for 50 years. Suddenly anti-incumbency disappears. Maharashtra swings; suddenly it disappears. Uttar Pradesh swings. Sometimes Samajwadi, sometimes BSP; it disappears. Madhya Pradesh, it disappears. Gujarat, it disappears. This has been a fundamental question for us,” Gandhi said, according to ANI news agency.
He further said the Opposition “understands the popularity of a person and the performance of the government”. “…But we cannot understand how anti-incumbency disappears,” Gandhi added.