CM Fadnavis Criticises Rahul Gandhi’s Delhi Protest Over Election Commission Demands
Fadnavis linked the protest to Congress’ criticism of constitutional institutions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the Opposition’s protest against the Election Commission in New Delhi, alleging that the campaign was aimed at weakening public trust in constitutional institutions. Speaking to reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Fadnavis accused the Congress and INDIA bloc of creating a narrative that could undermine confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Fadnavis alleged that repeated criticism of constitutional bodies was being used to create doubts about their functioning and credibility. He claimed the broader objective was to convince people that these institutions were unable to deliver justice and eventually create conditions for rejection of the Constitution itself. His remarks came as Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders protested in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister also criticised the manner in which the protest was conducted, alleging that the Opposition leaders were engaging in actions that were inconsistent with their stated defence of constitutional values. He argued that the Constitution provides the framework for institutions such as the Election Commission and said attempts to discredit these bodies could affect public confidence in the democratic system. These claims were made by Fadnavis in the context of the ongoing dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
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The remarks followed a major Opposition demonstration in New Delhi on Tuesday, during which Rahul Gandhi and several other INDIA bloc leaders were detained by police while marching towards the Election Commission office. The protesters were seeking the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and withdrawal of the electoral roll revision exercise. The Election Commission and the government have rejected allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that the revision is intended to remove duplicate and ineligible entries while retaining eligible voters.
Fadnavis has previously criticised Rahul Gandhi’s allegations concerning the Election Commission and the SIR exercise, arguing that constitutional institutions were being deliberately placed under suspicion. He has also defended the electoral revision process, pointing to the role of political parties and Booth Level Agents in raising objections to voter lists. His latest remarks extend that criticism to the ongoing Opposition protest and its wider political campaign against the Election Commission.
The confrontation reflects the continuing political dispute between the ruling BJP-led establishment and Opposition parties over electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission. While the Opposition has raised concerns about the impact of the revision on voters, the government and Election Commission have maintained that the exercise is aimed at ensuring accurate electoral rolls. Fadnavis, meanwhile, urged that constitutional institutions should not be subjected to what he described as efforts to undermine their credibility.
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