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World

Rahul Gandhi calls Modi, Shah and poll chief 'deshdrohis' as opposition drafts impeachment notice against CEC

Rahul Gandhi demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign and 'turn approver', alleging rigged elections, as the opposition prepares a fresh impeachment notice against the poll chief.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 2 min read

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at a press conference on 24 September, alleging that recent elections in India were rigged and accusing the country’s top leaders of undermining democracy.

Gandhi claimed with “100% certainty” that elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, were being rigged. He called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Kumar “deshdrohis” (traitors), saying they were “at the top of the conspiracy” and would be investigated. “We are not saying this lightly,” he said.

He urged Kumar to “turn approver”, saying: “The two election commissioners have done a wise thing and I appreciate them. Mr Gyanesh Kumar should think seriously about the position he is in, and he should turn an approver. That would be an act of nationalism.”

The remarks follow a report in The Indian Express that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over ten months to decisions taken by the poll panel, including on electoral rolls, new voters and the voter database. Gandhi said the objections vindicated the Congress campaign against alleged “vote chori”.

Congress sources said the opposition would move a fresh impeachment notice against Kumar in both Houses of Parliament within the next two weeks. Kumar is the first Chief Election Commissioner against whom the opposition has submitted removal notices in Parliament.

The BJP dismissed the allegations, attributing election outcomes to anti-incumbency against the Congress and defending the centralisation of electoral roll data. Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat said internal differences within the commission were routine.

Sources

More on this topic: all World stories

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