Gyanesh Kumar:The controversy took off after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised at least 14 objections in ten months. They allegedly objected to decisions taken and orders carried out without their knowledge or consent, mainly around voter list revisions and related systems.
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Rahul Gandhi has demanded Kumar’s immediate resignation. Congress has held protests across the country, and leaders including Mamata Banerjee have joined the call. Kerala has now ordered a vigilance probe into old corruption allegations from Kumar’s time as the state’s PWD secretary.
The CJP Crackdown Charge
The CJP says the response on the streets has been heavy-handed. On Friday, protesters marching in Delhi towards Jantar Mantar were detained in large numbers, while Mumbai also saw tense scenes and a scuffle after a protest. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says the movement will not back down. He has warned that if Kumar does not resign, supporters from across India will march to Jantar Mantar on October 10, and that wherever police stop them will become their Jantar Mantar.
What’s In Store Today
Gyanesh Kumar: All eyes are on the Supreme Court, which is hearing petitions seeking Kumar’s suspension. The petitioners argue that the Election Commission must take decisions collectively and that actions taken without the full commission’s agreement should be declared void. Opposition parties are also expected to keep up the pressure through protests and political meetings, with talk of a possible impeachment motion in Parliament. Delhi is likely to see tight security again as the CJP‘s next big call, on October 10, draws closer.
