Gyaneshgate: Congress's scathing attack on Election Commissioner amid EC row

The Congress on Wednesday stepped up its attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid reports of differences within the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The party dubbed the row 'Gyaneshgate' and alleged that Kumar's actions had the full support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The attack came after a report in The Indian Express said two election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, repeatedly raised questions within the three-member panel over issues linked to the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

Later in the day, the Election Commission said differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution, and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the chief election commissioner had lost "all administrative and moral right to continue in office".

"The CEC has proved to be an absolute disgrace to the Constitutional post he holds. His integrity of purpose, impartiality of intent and independence of action have always been extremely dubious," Ramesh alleged.

He said 73 opposition MPs had moved an impeachment motion against the CEC on April 24 and that it was still pending.

"Meanwhile, today he stands brutally exposed by his own two colleagues. And undoubtedly, opposition MPs in both Houses will now move impeachment motions if there is a special session, since the Monsoon Session has not been prorogued for an unprecedented 43 days," he said.

Ramesh also alleged, "Mr Gyanesh Kumar has functioned as a hatchet man for the Union Home Minister, who, in turn, is the designated executor of the PM's wishes. What the CEC has been doing is with the full knowledge, support and, in fact, at the instigation of the PM and HM themselves. #Gyaneshgate has been orchestrated by G2. Of that there can be no doubt".

According to the report cited by the Congress, the national rollout of the Special Intensive Revision has been under the supervision of all three commissioners, including CEC Kumar. But Sandhu and Joshi formally objected, on record, at least 14 times over the past 10 months to decisions taken and orders issued, which they said were done without their knowledge.

Ramesh also referred to the Supreme Court's split verdict on Wednesday on whether the selection committee to appoint election commissioners is valid.

"Justice Datta has, through pointed and straightforward questions, highlighted the degree of Central government control over the committee. He has rightly asked, can a PM's nominee go against the PM?" he said.

"The validity of the selection committee will now be examined by a larger bench, but Justice Datta's judgment confirms that the CEC must be free from the government's control if it is to be effective," he added.

Referring to the Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India case, Ramesh said the Supreme Court in March 2023 had directed that the CEC and election commissioners be appointed by the President on the recommendations of a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of opposition and the Chief Justice of India.

Later that year, he said, the Modi government replaced the CJI with a Cabinet minister through the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, changing the court-mandated selection process.

He also said, "The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha raised the issue of 'vote chori' over 15 months ago. He stands vindicated more than ever before".

Under fire over the red flag raised by two commissioners on the Special Intensive Revision exercise, the Election Commission said every officer of the poll panel, along with the three commissioners, is fully authorised to give suggestions for improving the electoral system.

It said any operational queries or inputs raised by Commission members during draft stages are part of standard administrative practice aimed at safeguarding voter rights, and that the suggestions made by the commissioners were for further improving the electoral process.

The day's developments saw the Congress sharpen its criticism of the CEC over the Special Intensive Revision exercise, while the Election Commission maintained that internal suggestions and differing views are part of its normal functioning and that its decisions follow due procedure.