'Gyaneshgate': Congress attacks CEC, says all his actions enjoy Modi, Shah's support

New Delhi: Amid reports of internal differences in the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision exercise, the Congress on Wednesday dubbed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar "Gyaneshgate" and alleged that all his actions had the full support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the chief election commissioner (CEC) has 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.


Read more: Mamata Banerjee demands fresh Bengal elections amid EC SIR dissent row; calls for CEC's arrest

He said 73 opposition MPs had moved an impeachment motion against the CEC on April 24, which is 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.

"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," the Congress leader said.

Read more: Election Commission pushes back on dissent reports, says all SIR decisions were unanimous

"The CEC has lost all administrative and moral right to continue in office," Ramesh added.

The opposition party's attack came after a report in The Indian Express claimed that questions were repeatedly raised on issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls within the three-member Election Commission by two of the three election commissioners - Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

The national rollout of SIR 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 last 10 months to decisions taken and orders issued, they say, without their knowledge, according to the report in the English daily.

Ramesh also said the Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on the question of 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?

"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 said.

In the Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India case, the Supreme Court in March 2023 directed that the CEC and ECs be appointed by the President of India on the recommendations of a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of opposition and the chief justice of India.

Later that year, the Modi government replaced the CJI with a Cabinet minister through the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, altering the court-mandated selection mechanism and overriding the court's direction to keep the Election Commission independent of executive control, Ramesh 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," the Congress leader said.

Under fire over the red flag raised by two of its commissioners over the SIR exercise, the EC on Wednesday said that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution and all its orders carry full legal sanctions and follow established statutory procedures.

In a statement, the EC also said that not only the three commissioners, but every officer of the poll panel is fully authorised to give his suggestions to the Commission for improving the electoral system.

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