Priyanka Gandhi Seeks Removal of EC Legal Safeguards, CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday demanded the removal of the legal safeguards extended to the Election Commissioner, alleging that these protections were put in place by the Bharatiya Janata Party government to insulate the poll panel from accountability.

Speaking to reporters, the Wayanad MP also called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stating that the INDIA bloc was united in seeking his removal.

She argued that the legal safeguards now available to the Election Commissioner were created by the BJP government so that the official could not be held answerable regardless of his actions. Such protections, she said, need to be withdrawn.

Vadra contended that anyone committing illegal acts against the nation, the Constitution or India should face criminal proceedings. Describing such conduct as treason, she said those responsible must be tried for it.

She further alleged that the BJP government was shielding the Election Commissioner, and said that if an EC were committing serious crimes against democracy, it would be practically impossible to do so without backing from the leadership.

"Our immediate demand is that Gyanesh Kumar should resign. The INDIA bloc is united in this demand. Every single leader in the alliance is in full agreement that what is going on is absolutely illegal and unconstitutional," she said.

Her remarks came in response to questions about reports of differences within the three-member Election Commission over a range of decisions and instructions. These included matters relating to electoral-roll revision, the deletion and addition of names, changes to forms for new voters and access to voter data.