Guwahati, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has stepped up his criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, taking a dig at the BJP over West Bengal party chief Samik Bhattacharya’s call for the CEC to be considered for the Padma Bhushan.
Addressing reporters in Nagaon, Gogoi said the praise for Kumar reflected the BJP’s support for him amid the ongoing controversy over the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
“Padma Bhushan? The BJP will make him the President,” Gogoi said, referring to Bhattacharya’s remarks. Bhattacharya had said Kumar deserved at least the Padma Bhushan for his role in conducting the West Bengal Assembly elections and in the revision of electoral rolls.
Gogoi also alleged that questions had been raised within the Election Commission over its functioning and claimed that an “IT cell” had emerged in the CEC’s office and was influencing decisions related to electoral rolls.
“Now, Gyanesh Kumar’s IT cell will determine whether or not a new 18-year-old voter gets included in the electoral roll,” he said.
The Congress leader further alleged that the BJP was seeking greater control over voter lists, comparing the issue with earlier allegations of booth capturing and ballot-box seizure.
“We used to hear about booth capturing or the seizure of ballot boxes; now, the BJP wants to capture the entire voter list itself,” Gogoi alleged.
He reiterated the Congress’ demand for Kumar’s resignation and referred to Rahul Gandhi’s call for the CEC to “turn approver”.
“Gyanesh Kumar should openly reveal who is making him carry out illegal and unconstitutional acts, and who is issuing the directives that have shattered the integrity of the Election Commission of India,” Gogoi said.
His remarks come amid an intensifying political dispute over the ECI’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Indian Express has reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over decisions taken by the poll panel.
The ECI, however, said on September 26 that its decisions on the nationwide SIR exercise had received the unanimous approval of all three commissioners. The Commission also announced changes to the SIR process, including doorstep collection of documents in most cases.
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