Anurag Dhanda, national spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party, criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following reports that he faced protests during a visit to the Kalighat Kali Temple.
Anurag Dhanda Criticises CEC Gyanesh Kumar After Protest Incident in Kolkata
In a social media post, Dhanda alleged that the role of the Election Commission is to conduct elections impartially between political parties, but claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner was behaving like a political leader.
He stated that such scenes are rarely seen in a democratic country, referring to the reported protests against the CEC outside the temple in Kolkata.
Dhanda further suggested that the criticism
Dhanda further suggested that the criticism and protests were a reaction to what he described as political behaviour by the election official. He also made a remark implying that the official might join politics after completing his tenure.
According to reports shared by News24, the incident occurred when Gyanesh Kumar visited the Kalighat temple for prayers, where some people reportedly protested outside the premises.
The remarks have added to the ongoing political debate surrounding the functioning and neutrality of institutions during the current political climate in India.
Dhanda also stressed that democratic institutions must maintain complete neutrality to preserve public trust in the electoral process. He said that any perception of bias can weaken confidence in the system and raise concerns among voters and political parties.
He further stated that the Election Commission plays a crucial role in safeguarding democracy, and therefore its officials should avoid any actions that could be interpreted as politically motivated.
The comments come amid increasing political discussions across various states regarding the role of constitutional institutions and their independence in ensuring free and fair elections.
