Rahul Gandhi Unleashes Scathing Attack: Accuses CEC of Shielding 'Democracy Saboteurs'

In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a fierce broadside against Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, accusing him of actively protecting those who seek to undermine India's democratic fabric. Gandhi's pointed remarks come amidst heightened scrutiny over the integrity of the electoral process, particularly concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems.

Addressing the media, a visibly concerned Gandhi expressed profound disappointment, stating, "The Chief Election Commissioner is not taking responsibility for this.

He is protecting democracy saboteurs." This bold accusation underscores a growing rift between the opposition and the Election Commission of India (ECI), with the former demanding greater transparency and accountability.

Gandhi highlighted several critical issues that, according to him, have been left unaddressed by the CEC.

He lamented the absence of a single press conference by the CEC to clarify the myriad of questions surrounding EVMs and VVPATs. "Not a single serious question has been answered from across the opposition on this issue," Gandhi asserted, emphasizing the ECI's perceived silence as a major concern.

A central point of Gandhi's criticism revolved around the controversial events in the Surat Lok Sabha constituency.

He recounted how the Congress candidate's nomination was rejected due to alleged discrepancies in the proposer's signatures. Subsequently, eight other candidates withdrew, leading to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Mukesh Dalal, being declared elected unopposed. "The candidate's nomination was rejected and thereafter, eight other candidates withdrew and then the BJP candidate was declared elected.

Why? What is the logic behind it?" Gandhi questioned, casting a shadow of doubt over the fairness of the process.

The Congress leader also raised broader concerns about the transparency of EVM functionality. He pointed out that while the Election Commission states that microcontrollers in EVMs are one-time programmable, this has been contradicted by information provided by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector undertaking involved in manufacturing the machines.

This discrepancy, Gandhi argued, fuels suspicions of potential manipulation and lack of robust security measures.

Gandhi called for immediate and serious action from the Chief Election Commissioner, urging him to restore faith in the electoral system. His accusations reflect a deep-seated apprehension within opposition ranks regarding the impartiality and effectiveness of the ECI in safeguarding democratic principles.

The Congress's stance suggests a deepening crisis of confidence in India's electoral watchdog, demanding urgent and comprehensive reforms to ensure a truly free and fair democratic exercise.