The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally responded to the INDIA bloc’s recent "public impeachment" proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, characterizing the event as a calculated performance rather than a substantive political critique. Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, BJP national spokesperson and Puri MP, Sambit Patra, labeled the opposition's activities as a "mock parliament" and a "drama." He directed sharp criticism toward Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that the opposition alliance should maintain him as their "mock prime minister for life."
Addressing the controversy surrounding the legal protections afforded to the CEC, Patra argued that the BJP had not introduced any new or irregular legal measures. He asserted that the immunity and protection currently enjoyed by the President and the CEC are already enshrined in the Constitution of India. The spokesperson referenced a 2023 Telangana lower special court order that had directed an FIR to be filed against the CEC, an order which was subsequently quashed by the High Court. Patra cited this as evidence that existing procedural safeguards are necessary to prevent frivolous litigation against individuals holding high constitutional offices.
During the briefing, Patra also addressed allegations concerning voter irregularities, specifically referencing concerns about "13 crore deleted voters." He provided an explanation of the 'ASDD' formula used by election officials, noting that 'A' stands for 'Absent' and 'S' stands for 'Shifted.' According to Patra, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) is required to visit a residence three times to verify information; if an individual is not present during these visits, they may be marked as absent, which can lead to their name being excluded from the electoral rolls. He maintained that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is currently ongoing.
The criticism from the BJP leadership extended to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had previously addressed the INDIA bloc's claims of voter irregularities. Speaking in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shah challenged both Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to bring these concerns to the floor of Parliament during a special session. He argued that the opposition is attempting to deflect from their electoral losses by "blaming the umpire."
Shah highlighted a series of recent electoral successes for the BJP and its allies, including victories in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Bihar. He also noted that the BJP formed the government in Delhi after three decades and achieved a significant performance in Assam, while asserting that the party had effectively countered its political rivals in West Bengal. The Home Minister contended that rather than accusing the election authorities of bias, the opposition should focus on practicing and improving their performance after losing electoral contests.
Reflecting on the internal dynamics of the Congress party, Patra also made a historical reference, claiming that the first instance of "vote theft" in India was committed by the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He alleged that Nehru had circumvented the wishes of other prominent Congress leaders who had expressed a preference for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to lead the country, thereby becoming what he termed an "unelected Prime Minister."
The ongoing tension between the ruling coalition and the INDIA bloc highlights a widening divide regarding the conduct and transparency of electoral processes. As the BJP continues to emphasize its recent electoral mandates, the opposition alliance remains focused on its narrative of systemic issues within the election management machinery. For now, the government maintains that all established procedures remain in line with constitutional norms, while the opposition continues its public campaign against the current electoral oversight.
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