The INDIA bloc’s four-point memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu called for the removal of chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, an end to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a return to ballot papers for elections, and a review of polls held over the past two years.
This has destroyed the very foundation of our democracy. The Election Commission is its constitutional custodian, not its proprietor. He is answerable to the Constitution of India and not to his political masters. No institution can be permitted to alter the rules governing that right, evade accountability for its decisions, and silence those who demand answers through evasion, repression and criminal conduct. Addressing reporters afterwards, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to undermine Indian democracy.
“MEMORANDUM TO THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA Hon’ble Madam President, We, the Members of Parliament of the INDIA group representing over 60% of the population of our country, approach you with grave alarm over the manner in which the entire election system and the democratic framework of India has been subverted by Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister and Shri Amit Shah, the Home Minister, stealing from crores of Indians their constitutional Right to Vote. Madam President, the Right to Vote is the foundation of representative democracy enshrined in Article 326 of the Indian Constitution.
He said the memorandum had raised concerns over alleged electoral manipulation across states. “I said to President Murmu that proof of ‘election chori’ is known to the country, state after state has been stolen,” Gandhi said, adding that the President had not denied the Opposition’s claims and had sought evidence to support its allegations. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the delegation had sought a return to ballot papers and would provide evidence of alleged electoral manipulation after Murmu asked for proof of ‘vote chori’.
