Election Commission's Independence Questioned as Congressional Leaders Claim It Operates as an Attached Office to the Home Ministry

Congress Accuses Election Commission of Being an Attached Office of the Union Home Ministry

The Congress party has alleged that the Election Commission's stern notice to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge for his "terrorist" remark for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is evidence of its functioning as an attached office of the Union home ministry. This move, according to Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, is an assault on the Constitution.

The Election Commission took "serious note" of Kharge calling Prime Minister Modi a "terrorist" and issued him a "stern notice", asking him to explain his stand within 24 hours. Ramesh made the remark after the poll body's decision, which he claimed is a clear indication of its bias towards the ruling party.

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Sources said the initial notice was withdrawn as it reportedly named TMC leader Derek O'Brien as one of the complainants on Kharge's "terrorist" remarks against the prime minister. The Election Commission issued a fresh notice with Kiren Rijiju as the sole complainant against Kharge, sources added.

The Election Commission termed O'Brien's inclusion as an "inadvertent error". However, Ramesh attacked the EC, calling its behaviour "shameful" and demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

In another post on X, Ramesh mentioned a 2019 news report regarding Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo Chandrababu Naidu calling Modi a 'terrorist'. Ramesh compared the Election Commission's actions, pointing out the double standards in its treatment of opposition leaders.

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The EC notice came a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of elections in West Bengal. Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Modi of "terrorising" political parties by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which attacked the opposition leader for calling Modi a "terrorist".