Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday questioned the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) transparency over alleged dissent letters by Election Commissioners and asked why Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was not responding to questions about the electoral process.
Addressing the press, Kharge questioned claims that decisions taken by the poll body were unanimous, citing alleged differences among the three Election Commissioners.
“If the decision was unanimous, why were there letters of dissent? Unanimous means everyone agreed, doesn’t it?” he said.
Kharge alleged that two of the three Election Commissioners had disagreed with Kumar’s actions and questioned why the Chief Election Commissioner was not addressing the issue publicly.
“Why is Gyanesh Kumar not answering? Why are BJP leaders answering on behalf of a constitutional authority?” he asked.
He also questioned the legal immunity available to the Chief Election Commissioner, saying that if the decision was unanimous, the matter should be examined transparently.
Kharge raised concerns over alleged discrepancies in electoral software and the circulation of bulk, pre-printed Form 7 applications used to seek deletion of names from electoral rolls. He said the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer was scheduled to release the final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
“We have already registered cases regarding how these pre-printed bulk Form 7 applications are being circulated and who is supplying them. This concerns Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, and we will take action,” he said.
Responding to the BJP’s proposed protest over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s October 25 remarks in Patna, Bihar, Priyank Kharge described the move as an attempt to divert public attention. He defended the remarks as colloquial and questioned the BJP’s inconsistent standards regarding language used against political leaders.
He cited past derogatory expressions allegedly used against Congress leaders and questioned why similar objections were not raised. He also asked why empathy expressed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father was not extended to his wife, Jashodaben.
Regarding the INDIA bloc’s proposed November 1 rally in Delhi, Kharge said ministers would fulfil their constitutional responsibilities in Karnataka, while party workers could attend the rally. He said workers could participate in Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations before travelling to Delhi, stressing that the events were not mutually exclusive.
