Differences within EC part of democracy, allegations lack substance: Chandrasekhar
Keralam BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday said reported differences of opinion within the Election Commission did not indicate any wrongdoing, arguing that differing views were part of the democratic process.
He was responding to questions about reports of differences among the three-member poll panel over decisions and instructions concerning electoral-roll revision, deletion and addition of names, changes to forms for new voters and access to voter data.
The Election Commission has said differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations and that its final decisions were unanimous.
“When three persons are part of a panel, whether it is a panchayat, municipal committee, political organisation or a committee of three judges, won't there be different opinions and legal interpretations?” Chandrasekhar asked.
“Just pointing this out and building a theory that something has happened here has no substance. If there is a discussion on it, there should be facts and substance,” he said.
Chandrasekhar said there could be a debate on improving the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and making it more foolproof, but said such a discussion should be based on facts.
“But that debate must be meaningful and fact-led,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, Chandrasekhar said the party was now claiming that SIR was responsible for its electoral defeats.
He alleged that the Congress had lost elections because of “corruption and developmental stagnation” and accused its leader Rahul Gandhi of making what he described as fraudulent statements for years.
Earlier on Saturday, Chandrasekhar wrote on X that Gandhi was “Indian politics' greatest creative fabricator”.
He alleged that since 2014, Gandhi, his family members and some associates had promoted narratives that the Congress was losing elections because of alleged electoral rigging, instead of acknowledging what he described as “corruption, appeasement and non-performance” as reasons for the party’s repeated defeats.- Ends
