BJP Arunachal Pradesh defends ECI over SIR row, questions Rahul Gandhi’s demand for CEC’s resignation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh, on September 27 defended the Election Commission of India (ECI) amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Itanagar, party spokesperson Tobom Dai criticised Gandhi’s statements on September 24 concerning the functioning of the Election Commission. Dai said political leaders, particularly those holding constitutional positions, should verify information before making serious allegations against constitutional institutions.

Referring to a report published by The Indian Express, Dai said the ECI’s clarification issued on September 26 provided important context to the controversy over alleged differences within the Commission and the SIR process.

According to the BJP spokesperson, the ECI clarified that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had taken decisions concerning the SIR with the approval of the full Commission. The clarification also addressed questions concerning official communication to the Cabinet Secretary and the Form 6 process.

Dai said the Commission’s clarification should be considered while assessing the allegations and political claims surrounding the issue. He questioned the basis for demands seeking the CEC’s resignation, arguing that discussions about electoral institutions should be grounded in verified information, official records and due process.

The BJP spokesperson further alleged that the Congress had repeatedly questioned constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, when electoral outcomes went against it. He argued that such institutions should be respected irrespective of political outcomes and called on all parties to exercise caution while commenting on their functioning.

Dai also stressed that issues concerning electoral rolls, voter inclusion and verification under the SIR process should be addressed through established constitutional and legal procedures rather than through unverified claims.

Separately, BJP Arunachal Pradesh president Kaling Moyong, in a social media post, emphasised the importance of respecting the electoral process and constitutional institutions, referring to the ECI’s clarification on unanimous approval of the SIR decisions.

Arunachal Pradesh MP Tapir Gao also commented on the controversy on social media, citing the ECI’s clarification and stressing the need to respect democratic institutions and the electoral mandate.

The BJP Arunachal Pradesh reiterated that matters concerning electoral rolls and the SIR process are of significant public importance and called for responsible discussion based on verified information.