BJP Defends Election Commission Amid Opposition Treason Claims

The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected allegations from opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, regarding the internal functioning of the Election Commission of India. The dispute follows a report claiming that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected 14 times over 10 months to decisions made without their knowledge concerning the Special Intensive Regulation process.

Opposition leaders, including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of hijacking the commission. Rahul Gandhi characterized the situation as "vote chori" and an act of treason by the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and the commission.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra defended the commission, stating that internal correspondence and deliberations are a sign of a healthy democracy rather than a division. Patra accused the opposition of attempting to defame constitutional bodies after failing to win elections since 2014 and countered that Rahul Gandhi committed treason by criticizing Indian institutions abroad.

The Election Commission of India issued a statement asserting that all official orders and administrative directions follow established statutory procedures and carry full legal sanctions. The commission described internal queries during drafting stages as standard administrative practice used to ensure transparency.