Sachin Pilot accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of undermining Election Commission’s independence

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining the independence of the Election Commission alleging that the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls was being used to selectively delete votersTalking to reporters here Pilot alleged that Kumar sidelined the other two election commissioners while taking decisions related to the electoral roll revision and demanded action against himIndia and the country function according to law The Election Commission has three members and decisions are taken either unanimously or by a majority But Gyanesh Kumar sidelined the other two election commissioners and started the entire process on his own he allegedPilot claimed that powers normally exercised by Electoral Registration Officers EROs at the local level were being centralised and alleged that names of voters were being added or deleted from DelhiHe claimed that around 13 crore names have been removed from electoral rolls across the country and alleged that voters were being selectively targeted in states including Haryana Bihar and West BengalFirst there was demonetisation and now they are doing votebandi Voting is the biggest democratic right of a citizen If that right is taken away what could be more serious than this Pilot saidHe alleged that public confidence in the Election Commission as an impartial constitutional institution had been eroded and demanded action against the CECOn droughtlike conditions in Rajasthan the former deputy chief minister accused the state government of failing to make advance preparations despite deficient monsoon rainfall in several areasThe governments planning has completely failed Had arrangements been made a month or two ago and a plan prepared after it became clear that the monsoon was deficient some relief could have been provided and perhaps the situation would not have become so serious he saidPilot alleged that the BJP governments attention remained focused on managing elections and retaining power rather than addressing the problems arising from deficient rainfallHe also accused the government of misusing the police and administration during the recent urban local body elections and claimed Congress councillors were stopped at the Haryana borderReferring to Punjab Pilot alleged that drug abuse and law and order worsened under the AAP government and accused it of using police against those raising their voiceThe government has completely failed Law and order has collapsed and drug addiction has increased manifold he allegedPilot who is AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab expressed confidence that the Congress would form the next government in Punjab with a clear majorityAsked about former Rajasthan minister and party leader Vishvendra Singh Pilot said the matter would come before the party and he would put forward his positionRajasthan Congress has issued a showcause notice to Vishvendra Singh over alleged indiscipline and antiparty activities hours after he signalled that he could part ways with the partyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever