"If this isn't an attack on Constitution, what is?": Omar Abdullah echoes Oppn's attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar overSIR row

A report by the Indian Express that had said that decisions taken on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process were objected to by two of the three Election Commissioners.

According to the report, "Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over the last 10 months to decisions taken and orders issued without their knowledge."

Reacting to the report, Omar Abdullah said, "...It raises many questions. We had persistent complaints about the Election Commission's functioning even before the issue of SIR became a national concern. For us, delimitation was a major issue; we believed the process was opaque and flawed, designed entirely to benefit one political party and its allies."

He further said, "If this isn't an attack on the Constitution, what is? Rahul was absolutely right. Now, we must wait to see what measures will be taken to rectify this."

"Given what has been revealed, including the internal divisions within the Commission, it is clear that something is amiss. The statement they issued acknowledging that differences of opinion exist further confirms that things are not right and that corrective action is needed.If people lose faith in elections, what remains of democracy? Elections are the very foundation of democracy; if public trust in them erodes, why would people participate at all? I believe the Election Commission members and the Government of India need to reflect on this..." he said.

Earlier in the day, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi questioned the commission and CEC Gyanesh Kumar, saying that "vote chori" is a "crime against the Indian people" and an attack on the Constitution.

In a post shared on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Vote chori is a crime against the Indian people and a direct attack on our constitution. The BJP, RSS and EC who organised it have committed an act of treason. Justice will be served."

In a video shared by him, Gandhi addressed the Election Commission and election officials, saying, "I am clearly telling the Election Commission and election officers: What you are doing is wrong. This is treason; it is against the nation. Do not forget this. The time will come! We will catch you! You will not be spared."

The rhetoric against the commission and the CEC in particular was also echoed by AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal, Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI-M MP John Brittas and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav.

All opposition parties in unison have called for the removal of the CEC, alleging that the commission was attempting to hijack the electoral process and putting democracy under threat. (ANI)