Rahul Gandhi Criticises Election Commission During Parliament Session

In a recent session of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi made significant allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) while discussing electoral reforms. He accused the commission of colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and claimed that the integrity of voter lists was compromised, particularly in states such as Haryana and Bihar.

Gandhi, speaking in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, highlighted what he termed as widespread irregularities in the electoral process. He asserted that there were numerous duplicate entries in the voter rolls, citing the example of a 'Brazilian woman' who reportedly appeared on the voter list 22 times in Haryana. His comments sparked an intense debate regarding the transparency and accountability of the election process in India.

"Vote theft is an act against the nation," Gandhi stated, warning the Election Commission that opposition parties might pursue retroactive legal action if reforms were not implemented. He raised three critical questions regarding the functioning of the ECI, including the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel for Election Commissioners, the unprecedented immunity granted to Election Commissioners, and the destruction of CCTV footage from polling stations after 45 days.

The session also saw a commotion in the Rajya Sabha when Union Minister JP Nadda accused Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge of diverting the discussion to unrelated topics such as foreign policy and economic matters during a debate on 'Vande Mataram', a song that embodies India's national identity and historical struggle for independence.

In addition to the electoral discourse, Congress Member of Parliament Manish Tewari initiated discussions on reforms concerning the electoral system. The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, which commenced on December 1, is scheduled to conclude on December 19.

As the debate unfolded, other political figures also voiced their opinions. Ram Mohan Naidu, the Minister of Civil Aviation, addressed the ongoing operational challenges faced by IndiGo Airlines, including recent delays and cancellations affecting passengers across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously led discussions on 'Vande Mataram' in the Lok Sabha, acknowledging its significance in India's freedom movement. The continuation of these discussions in the Rajya Sabha has been part of a broader examination of India's cultural and historical narratives.

The 6th Session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 269th Session of the Rajya Sabha represents a crucial period for lawmakers as they tackle various legislative issues, including defence reports and electoral reforms. The political landscape remains charged as the opposition continues to challenge the government's policies and practices surrounding electoral integrity.