EC row: Congress trying to create political unrest, says Jai Ram Thakur

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Thakur questions Rahul Gandhi’s EC allegations, criticises Congress protests

Shimla, September 29

Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday accused the Congress of creating political unrest over its allegations against the Election Commission, saying the party was frustrated after being out of power for 13 years.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur said Congress leaders could not invoke the Constitution while questioning constitutional institutions. He alleged that the party was attempting to create confusion and unrest to regain political ground.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Thakur criticised the Congress leader’s allegations against the Election Commission, saying the claims lacked factual basis. He said a letter from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to the Cabinet Secretary was an administrative communication, not a dissenting note against the Commission’s policies or the IT system used for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Thakur also questioned Gandhi’s reference to the letter, saying the allegations based on a newspaper report were not supported by facts.

Referring to the history of former Election Commissioners, Thakur alleged that several officials appointed during Congress governments later held gubernatorial or political positions. He cited former Chief Election Commissioners R.K. Trivedi, Rama Devi, T.N. Seshan and M.S. Gill while making the claim.

On the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, Thakur said polling was postponed after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He said the remaining two phases, scheduled for May 23 and 26, were subsequently held on June 12 and 15.

Responding to Congress allegations of “vote theft”, Thakur questioned why the party did not raise similar concerns when it lost power in several states. He referred to Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Thakur also criticised Congress protests against the Election Commission in Himachal Pradesh, alleging that party workers blackened a board outside the Election Commission office and kicked an effigy.

He said the participation of Congress leaders, including ministers, in such protests was inappropriate and alleged that one protester had threatened to set the Election Commission office on fire.

The Congress has raised allegations concerning the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that it conducts electoral procedures in accordance with the law.