NewKerala.com

Democracy Under Threat? Why KC Venugopal's Fiery LS Speech Warns of ECI 'Impunity'

Congress leader KC Venugopal delivered a strong critique of the government in the Lok Sabha, focusing on electoral integrity. He argued that the independence of the Election Commission has been systematically destroyed, making it a partisan body. Venugopal connected several actions, like freezing Congress accounts before elections and changing appointment laws, as evidence of this erosion. His core message was that the right to vote is a fundamental democratic principle, not a privilege granted by the government.

Key Points: KC Venugopal Slams Govt Over Election Commission Independence in LS

  • Venugopal alleges the Election Commission has collapsed under political pressure and become partisan
  • He criticizes the new law removing CJI from the EC selection panel as showing fear
  • The Congress leader cites the freezing of party accounts before elections as a deliberate tactic
  • He reserves sharpest attack for a new clause granting legal immunity to the ECI
3 min read

Right to vote is fundamental pillar of democracy, not at govt's mercy: KC Venugopal in LS

Congress leader KC Venugopal accuses the government of destroying the Election Commission's impartiality, calling the right to vote a fundamental democratic pillar.

"This is not immunity; this is impunity. This is a lifetime washing machine for the Election Commission. - KC Venugopal"

New Delhi, Dec 10

Congress General Secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal launched a blistering attack on the NDA government in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday while opposing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, accusing the Centre of systematically destroying the independence of the ECI.

“The idea of an impartial electoral umpire has been openly crushed. The Election Commission has now collapsed under political pressure and has become partisan,” Venugopal said, while the Lok Sabha continued to debate on electoral reforms, adding that the right to vote is not a mercy granted by any government but a fundamental principle of democracy.

Quoting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Venugopal alleged that wherever elections were near, the BJP government started SIR (Special Intensive Revision). "It happened in Bihar, and now it is happening as elections are nearing in several states," he said.

He reminded the House of the freezing of all Congress bank accounts just weeks before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections over what he called a trivial two-week delay in filing income tax returns. “Can any democratic country in the world imagine the principal opposition party’s accounts being frozen on such flimsy grounds, deliberately timed before a general election?” he asked.

Venugopal accused the central agencies of being weaponised only against the opposition. “The moment elections are announced, Income Tax, CBI, and ED become hyperactive -- raids every day on opposition leaders. Nothing ever happens to BJP leaders; they are discharged and walk free,” he said.

The Congress leader cited Constituent Assembly debates and the Supreme Court’s 2023 verdict in the Anoop Baranwal case, where a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph had mandated a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India to appoint Election Commissioners.

“The Supreme Court wanted a neutral umpire for free and fair elections. The very next session, this government brought a law that removed the Chief Justice and replaced him with a Cabinet Minister of the Prime Minister’s choice. Your fear of an independent Chief Justice is crystal clear,” Venugopal charged.

He reserved his sharpest attack for the new clause granting complete legal immunity to the Election Commission and its officers. “From 1950 to 2023, no Election Commission ever asked for such immunity. Brave and neutral Commissions functioned without it. Why this sudden demand in 2023? Only one answer - guilty conscience. This is not immunity; this is impunity. This is a lifetime washing machine for the Election Commission,” he alleged, pointing towards the Treasury benches.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, this is concerning. The removal of the CJI from the selection panel and granting legal immunity to the ECI does seem like it undermines checks and balances. The timing of actions against opposition parties is questionable.
R
Rohit P
While I support the current government's development work, I have to agree on this point. The Supreme Court gave a clear verdict for a neutral selection committee. Why change it? This doesn't look good. We must protect our institutions.
P
Priya S
"Lifetime washing machine for the EC" – what a powerful phrase! It's scary to think about. My vote is my right, not a favour from anyone. We need to wake up before it's too late.
M
Michael C
The allegations about SIR (Special Intensive Revision) before elections need proper investigation. If true, it's a serious manipulation of the electoral roll. Transparency is key.
A
Ananya R
Respectfully, the Congress is not without its own history of influencing institutions. This feels like pot calling the kettle black. However, the principle he's defending is correct. We need bipartisan support to strengthen the EC, not weaken it.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50