Rahul Gandhi Demands Chief Election Commissioner's Resignation Over Election Rigging Claims

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday following a news report about a split within the Election Commission. Speaking at a press conference, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that all elections in the country are rigged. Gandhi pointed out that anti-incumbency affects political leaders everywhere, noting that even Indira Gandhi faced massive anti-incumbency within years of winning the Bangladesh war, but questioned why it seemingly does not affect Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, or the BJP. He showed video clips of speeches by Modi and Shah about the BJP staying in power for a long time. Gandhi stated that if the vote is destroyed, the Constitution is destroyed, making laws illegal and attacking institutions. He recalled that the Prime Minister and Home Minister bypassed his opinion to elevate Kumar, who was appointed under a 2023 law by a panel including the PM, Home Minister, and himself. Gandhi noted that Congress member Adhir Chowdhury recorded dissent over the appointment process in March 2024 when Sandhu and Kumar were named, and Gandhi himself recorded dissent in February last year when Kumar became poll panel chief. Gandhi accused Modi and Shah of being at the top of a conspiracy and called them traitors who attacked the democratic architecture. He praised the other two Election Commissioners for doing a wise thing, suggested that Kumar should turn approver as an act of nationalism, and warned that Modi and Shah will be investigated.