Malappuram, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the BJP leadership of shielding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the ongoing controversy over alleged differences within the Election Commission of India (ECI), while asserting that parties in the INDIA Bloc were united on the issue.
Speaking to reporters during her visit to Kerala’s Malappuram, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that serious wrongdoing against democracy could not take place without the support of political leadership. She also called for Kumar’s resignation and echoed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s demand for action against the CEC.
“The INDIA alliance is very clear. Every single leader of the alliance, every single party is in full agreement that what is going on is absolutely illegal, anti-constitutional, and against our nation and democracy,” she said.
She further argued that legal safeguards available to Election Commissioners should be removed, saying those responsible for alleged illegal acts should be held accountable through due legal process.
Priyanka Gandhi also accused the BJP of protecting its leadership through its support for the CEC and claimed Kumar should face proceedings over what she described as serious offences against democracy. These were political allegations and were not established findings.
Her remarks came amid a controversy triggered by reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other poll-panel processes. The Indian Express reported that the two commissioners had recorded objections multiple times over the past 10 months.
The ECI, however, has rejected the suggestion of a split in the three-member panel, maintaining that individual views and observations are part of institutional deliberations but that final decisions are taken unanimously.
On Saturday, the Commission again said its major decisions, including the June 24, 2025 SIR order, had received unanimous approval. It also clarified that a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation and was not related to any policy decision or the ECI’s IT division.
The INDIA Bloc parties are also expected to meet on September 30 to discuss the ECI controversy and other issues.
Priyanka Gandhi additionally alleged that the BJP had become “overconfident” ahead of elections and questioned its claims about expected electoral performance, saying there was a perceived difference between statements made before elections and what she said was being heard from people on the ground.
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