Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has reiterated support for Rahul Gandhi’s proposal to debate the government’s allegations in Parliament. He emphasised that Parliament has not been prorogued and should reconvene for this purpose. Tharoor stated, “If Parliament reconvenes, I believe Rahul Gandhi’s offer to debate still stands,” highlighting the importance of addressing these issues within the legislative framework.

His comments come amid ongoing tensions between the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over various allegations, including those concerning the integrity of the electoral process. Tharoor’s call for a debate reflects a broader demand for accountability from the government regarding its actions and policies.

Criticism of the Election Commission’s Procedures

Tharoor has expressed strong criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding its management of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He alleged that there have been significant procedural irregularities that have raised concerns among the Opposition. According to Tharoor, the Supreme Court hearings have corroborated these concerns, indicating that the ECI’s actions may not align with established electoral laws.

Particularly, Tharoor condemned the ECI’s decision to separate the SIR declaration from Form 6, labelling it one of the Commission’s “most outrageous mistakes.” He accused the ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, of making unauthorised alterations to electoral procedures, which have reportedly led to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. He stated, “The ordinary public has not fully understood all of these examples of frankly bureaucratic and administrative malfeasance.”

Tharoor further elaborated on the implications of these changes, noting that the bulk filing of Form 7 objections has resulted in many individuals being unjustly denied their voting rights based on mere suspicion. He pointed out that such actions have been contested by other Election Commissioners, indicating a division within the Commission itself regarding its practices.

Opposition’s Demands and Election Commission’s Response

The Opposition, led by Tharoor, has not only called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar but has also demanded a reversal of the decisions made during the SIR process that allegedly impacted eligible voters. Tharoor welcomed the ECI’s recent move to retract some of its decisions but insisted that further action is necessary to rectify the consequences of earlier missteps.

He stated, “We wanted not just Mr. Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; we wanted very much that the electoral process under the SIR should be reversed.” Tharoor highlighted the significant number of votes—approximately 113 million—that have been removed from the electoral register, underscoring the gravity of the situation. He asserted that the actions taken by the ECI were fundamentally flawed and that ongoing Supreme Court hearings are validating the Opposition’s claims.

The political landscape remains contentious, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah challenging Rahul Gandhi to present his allegations in Parliament rather than in public forums. Shah’s remarks came after Gandhi’s assertion that he could prove the Prime Minister’s disloyalty within five minutes. This ongoing debate reflects the heightened political tensions as both parties prepare for further confrontations in the legislative arena.

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