New Delhi, Oct 29 The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday criticised the Congress over its allegations against the Election Commission and its planned “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying a party that does not trust the Supreme Court and Parliament cannot claim to have faith in democracy.
Speaking to PTI, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said the Congress should trust the judicial process and constitutional institutions instead of exerting pressure on the Supreme Court through street protests.
His remarks came after the Congress on Thursday alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is a “conspiracy” designed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and executed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to deprive large sections of Indians of their constitutional right to vote.
The opposition INDIA bloc is preparing for a “Dilli Chalo” rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 and has planned a “public impeachment” programme against Kumar on October 30.
On Thursday, INDIA bloc leaders met at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence here to finalise preparations for the “public impeachment” proceedings against Kumar as a symbolic protest over the “vote chori” issue.
Prasad said the Supreme Court has raised several questions to both the Election Commission and the petitioners during the previous day’s hearing.
“If you do not have faith even in the highest judicial forum, it raises questions about your faith in democratic institutions. During Thursday’s hearing, the Supreme Court raised several questions to both the Election Commission and the petitioners,” he said.
The JD(U) leader said the Congress has also approached the Lok Sabha Speaker to initiate an impeachment motion against the chief election commissioner.
“Whether the motion meets the prescribed criteria and whether you will be able to move it are separate matters. But if you do not have faith in the Supreme Court and Parliament, then you do not have faith in democracy,” Prasad said.
He said the Congress is repeatedly attempting to put pressure on the Supreme Court through street demonstrations.
“You are repeatedly trying to exert pressure on the Supreme Court from the streets. This is not the right approach. It is unethical,” he said.
(PTI News)
