Budget 2015: Gloom or Goodie-bag?

Supreme Court Senior Advocate Vikas Singh questioned the functioning and impartiality of the Election Commission of India amid the ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He argued that the poll panel is a multi-member body and its decisions should be taken unanimously or by majority. Singh also questioned the EC's role in the SIR exercise, arguing that the commission does not have the authority to determine the citizenship of individuals. He said such powers lie with the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Citizenship Act. He further called for greater independence in the appointment of election commissioners, suggesting an independent collegium involving the Chief Justice of India. Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, Congress spokesperson Bhavya Narasimhamurthy and BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari debated the allegations surrounding the poll panel and CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Bhandari defended the EC and rejected opposition allegations as "source-based fake news", while Narasimhamurthy questioned why NDA chief ministers were responding to the criticism instead of the CEC addressing the public directly.

In this debate, former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat, Congress national spokesperson Bhavya Narasimhamurthy, and BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari discuss allegations surrounding the Election Commission of India and its leadership under CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Pradeep Bhandari defended the poll body, asserting that constitutional decisions under Article 324 require unanimity and dismissing opposition claims as source-based fake news. In contrast, Bhavya questioned why NDA chief ministers are issuing statements on behalf of a constitutional body instead of the Chief Election Commissioner addressing the public directly. Emphasising institutional integrity, O.P. Rawat stated, 'Election Commission must come out, answer every point, every accusation,' noting that winning or losing elections does not impact an institution's objectivity. Recalling the EVM challenge organised during his tenure, Rawat maintained that all three commissioners share collective responsibility and must engage openly with citizens to allay concerns and restore confidence.

Nationwide protests by opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls lead the day's political developments, with the BJP defending the exercise. Former judges Justice Sanjiv Banerjee and Justice Gupta examine the constitutional validity of the electoral revision and the burden of proof placed on voters. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of five rape cases reported in Delhi over five weeks and directed authorities to conduct safety audits of public spaces. The court also addressed concerns over street lighting and police patrolling. Reports from Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata and Bengaluru highlight women's concerns over safety. In Punjab, Lovely Professional University suspended classes and examinations following student protests over sexual assault allegations. In corporate news, Noel Tata has proposed merging operating entities with Tata Sons to address non-banking financial company regulations. In sports, Indian shooter Esha Singh secured a silver medal at the Asian Games.

In an interview, Supreme Court Senior Advocate Vikas Singh questioned the functioning and impartiality of the Election Commission of India. He asserted that the commission was designed as a multi-member body where decisions must be taken unanimously or by majority, expressing concern over reports that the Chief Election Commissioner has acted unilaterally. Singh criticised the commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise, stating, "Election Commission does not have any authority to decide on citizenship of the people of this country," noting that such powers belong strictly to the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Citizenship Act. Highlighting unprecedented doubts over the poll body's neutrality, he argued that the Supreme Court should intervene to remove the Chief Election Commissioner and mandate appointments through an independent collegium including the Chief Justice of India to restore public trust.