The Opposition on Monday launched a scathing attack against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after the Supreme Court’s clarification on Form 6, claiming that changes brought to it were “illegal” and constitute an “assault on democracy.”
Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi led the charge in criticising the CEC, alleging that this was “just one more proof of him abusing his position to help the BJP. He further added, “He (CEC) and everyone else involved in this criminal assault on our democracy will be held accountable. Let’s be clear.
“The Supreme Court also said that the changes that were made in Form Number 6 do not have the approval of the Supreme Court, as was conveyed to the media and to all of us by the Election Commission through its sources. Earlier reporting noted: “Any modified Form 6 has not been approved by us.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee also mentioned the alleged ECI press note dated September 26, and flagged what he said was a “glaring contradiction” between the poll body and SC’s recent remarks. “It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally,” he said. Gandhi had, last week, claimed that the online Form 6 was modified “illegally”, questioning who at the ECI had ordered it. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, termed the change in Form 6 as “malicious”, while accusing the CEC of “violating the law at the behest of the PM and HM. “The malicious alteration in Form 6, which was initially hinted to have the approval of the Supreme Court, is a serious example of his deceitful conduct, which cannot be defended in any way,” Ramesh said in a post on X. Congress MP Pawan Khera accused the poll body of “lying”, while adding that there was a “restlessness” in the youth “for valid reasons. So, they have been caught red-handed lying,” Khera told ANI news agency. When record will be produced, we would like to see who has modified,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had said earlier during a hearing. Earlier reporting noted: CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also reacted to the CJI’s remarks and said, “The Court that gave legal cover to Gyanu’s SIR process has put its hands up and said that they had nothing to do with Gyanu’s illegal action. Earlier reporting noted: He said that the Supreme Court had distanced itself from one of ‘Gyanesh Kumar’s illegalities.’
When record will be produced, we would like to see who has modified,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said on Monday during the hearing of pleas seeking the CEC’s resignation. Let’s be clear. The remarks came after the SC clarified that it had not approved any modification to Form 6, the statutory application used by citizens to register as voters. “Any modified Form 6 has not been approved by us.
