PM Modi Sparks Debate on Election Commission's Impartiality During Congress Rule

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PM Modi Sparks Debate on Election Commission's Impartiality During Congress Rule

Team Finance Saathi

24/May/2024

Key Points:

1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview on India TV's 'Salaam India' raises questions on the impartiality of the Election Commission during Congress rule.
2: Online debate erupts after Akhilesh Mishra's posts on social media highlight Election Commission's decision to postpone elections after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
3: Mishra alleges that the postponement allowed Congress to garner sympathy votes and ultimately form a government.

In a recent high-profile interview with Rajat Sharma on India TV's 'Salaam India', Prime Minister Narendra Modi stirred controversy by questioning the impartiality of the Election Commission during the tenure of the Congress party. The focus of his criticism was the decision to postpone Lok Sabha elections following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, sparking a heated debate regarding the conduct of the Election Commission under Congress rule.

During the interview, PM Modi highlighted the unprecedented decision taken by the Election Commission to postpone the entire Lok Sabha elections for three weeks after the tragic assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991. He questioned the legitimacy of this decision, pointing out that while electoral rules mandate the countermanding of elections in the event of a candidate's death, there is no provision for postponing the entire election process for a single seat. This move, according to PM Modi, raised concerns about the impartiality of the Election Commission at the time.

The online debate ignited by PM Modi's remarks gained momentum when a user named Akhilesh Mishra shared historical newspaper clippings on social media platform X, shedding light on the events surrounding the postponement of the elections. Mishra emphasized that several Chief Ministers at the time vehemently opposed the decision to postpone the elections, denouncing it as a "murder of democracy" and Constitution." He particularly criticized the role of the then Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan, alleging his bias towards the Congress party.

Mishra argued that the three-week postponement provided the Congress party with an opportunity to capitalize on sympathy votes, as it was facing significant electoral setbacks prior to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. During this period, Congress orchestrated various activities, including processions, advertisements featuring Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and mourning ceremonies, to sway public sentiment in its favor. The postponement, Mishra claimed, significantly altered the electoral landscape, ultimately benefiting the Congress party.

Furthermore, Mishra accused TN Seshan of being rewarded by the Congress party for his alleged loyalty, citing his subsequent nomination as a Congress candidate against BJP heavyweight L.K. Advani. This, according to Mishra, exemplified a pattern of the Congress party influencing the impartiality of the Election Commission for its own political gains. He also mentioned other instances of alleged manipulation, involving figures such as M.S. Gill and Navin Chawla, to underscore the extent of partisan influence within the electoral process.

The debate sparked by PM Modi's interview and Mishra's revelations underscores the complexities surrounding the conduct of elections and the role of electoral bodies in ensuring fairness and transparency. It also reignites discussions on the need for institutional integrity and safeguards against political interference in the electoral process. As India gears up for future elections, the scrutiny on the impartiality of electoral institutions remains a critical aspect of democratic governance.

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PM Modi Sparks Debate on Election Commission's Impartiality During Congress Rule

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