'Conduct Elections via Ballot Paper If You Have the Courage': Kharge's Direct Challenge to PM Modi, 'Public Impeachment' Against CEC Planned
Highlights:
Congress President's Challenge: Mallikarjun Kharge stated— "Instead of making jokes, hold the Lok Sabha elections using ballot papers if you have the courage."
Major Political Move: The 'INDIA' alliance will introduce a 'Public Impeachment' against CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Friday.
Brinda Karat's Sharp Attack: "When elections were held via ballot papers in Varanasi and Nagpur, the BJP was completely defeated."
New Delhi | 'INDIA' Alliance Launches Major Attack on Election Commission and Centre
The verbal war between the ruling party and the opposition over the country's electoral system and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has reached its peak. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge directly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that if he possesses political courage, he should dissolve Parliament and demonstrate by conducting fresh elections through ballot papers.
Alongside this, the opposition alliance 'INDIA' opened a front against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's functioning, announcing a major move to bring a 'Public Impeachment' against him.
Kharge's Open Challenge: "Government Destroying Constitutional Institutions"
During a conversation with news agency ANI, Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Central Government and the Election Commission of weakening democracy.
Counterattack on Ballot Paper Demand: Kharge said, "They mock the demand for ballot papers. If they have so much confidence in their popularity, dissolve Parliament and show it by holding elections on ballot papers."
'Public Impeachment': Kharge announced that on Friday, all MPs of the 'INDIA' alliance will unite on a single platform to present a 'Public Impeachment' against the functioning of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Allegation of Diverting Real Issues: The Congress President mentioned that instead of discussing serious issues like inflation, unemployment, and the future of the youth, politics is being played to demean the opposition. He recalled, "There was a time when the BJP had only two seats in the entire Parliament, so should we keep repeating that same point over and over again?"
"When Elections Were Held via Ballots, BJP Lost Varanasi and Nagpur": Brinda Karat
On the other hand, CPI(M) senior leader Brinda Karat launched a major attack on the BJP by recalling the results of the Legislative Council (MLC) elections in Varanasi and Nagpur:
"When MLC elections were held via ballot papers in the Prime Minister's own parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, the BJP lost both of its seats. Not only that, their candidate also lost in Nagpur, which houses the RSS headquarters. This is proof of what the public's actual mandate is when elections are held with complete transparency and ballot papers."
Reason Behind the Controversy?
This entire political storm began after NDA's victory in the Legislative Council elections across four states, following which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the Congress and the opposition via a post on social media platform 'X'. Since then, the opposition camp has intensified its attack on the government regarding EVMs, ballot papers, and the impartiality of the Election Commission.
