Tripura Minister Sudhanshu Das has criticised the Congress and other Opposition parties for demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, describing the demand as “illogical and baseless.”
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Das strongly objected to the protests and criticism directed at Kumar by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the party. His remarks come amid an intensifying political dispute over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Minister Questions Congress Allegations
Das also questioned the Congress’s allegations of irregularities in elections and electoral rolls by referring to the party’s performance in recent elections in Tripura.
According to the minister, Congress contested only 731 of approximately 6,500 seats in the Panchayat elections held in the state two years ago. He questioned why the party did not field candidates in the remaining constituencies and argued that electoral defeats in seats where candidates were not fielded could not automatically be attributed to alleged “vote chori.”
The minister further referred to the recently held Village Committee elections in areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He said Congress contested fewer than 400 of the 4,597 seats in those elections, held on September 27.
Das Criticises Rahul Gandhi
The Tripura minister also targeted Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the Election Commission. Das alleged that Gandhi and Congress were undermining democratic institutions and said people should examine the facts before accepting allegations against electoral authorities.
He also attributed repeated electoral setbacks to the Congress leadership and argued that the party was shifting responsibility for its losses onto other institutions. These remarks represent Das’s political assessment of the Opposition’s allegations and electoral performance.
Das additionally referred to Congress’s electoral alliances in different states, including its arrangement with the CPI(M) during the 2023 Tripura Assembly election. He questioned the party’s ability to secure broader seat-sharing arrangements with other Opposition parties in states such as West Bengal, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
Opposition Continues to Target Election Commission
The minister’s comments come at a time when Congress has intensified its criticism of the Election Commission and demanded action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress has raised concerns over the electoral-roll revision process and alleged that the poll panel has exceeded its constitutional authority in certain matters connected with the SIR exercise. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh recently demanded Kumar’s resignation while questioning the Election Commission’s role in determining citizenship during the revision process.
The Opposition’s criticism has also focused on broader questions surrounding the functioning and accountability of the three-member Election Commission.
Election Commission Rejects Allegations
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that its actions are in accordance with the law. The poll panel has defended the legal basis of its decisions amid the continuing political controversy.
The dispute has therefore developed into a wider political debate over the Election Commission’s constitutional role, electoral-roll revisions and institutional accountability.
Political Row Continues
Sudhanshu Das’s comments add to the growing exchange between the ruling side and Opposition parties over the Election Commission. While Congress and other Opposition leaders are seeking greater accountability from the poll panel, Das has defended the CEC and questioned the basis of the resignation demand.
With disagreements over the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission continuing, the issue is likely to remain a significant part of the political debate surrounding electoral administration in India.