Guwahati: Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia dismissed opposition demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign on October 1. He argued that removing the official will not fix the electoral standing of the Congress party. Saikia mocked the opposition by stating, "Gyanesh Kumar can be replaced, but even if he is replaced, the Congress will never come to power."
The BJP leader took aim at Rahul Gandhi during his address. He suggested the party should replace Gandhi instead of the election official to change their fortunes. Saikia insisted that nothing will improve for them until that leadership change occurs. The remarks arrive during a heated battle over the Election Commission and the current Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Opposition parties continue to demand Kumar leave his post following reports of internal disagreements regarding voter roll revisions. The Congress Working Committee remains firm in its demand for his exit. The INDIA bloc promised more protests to keep the pressure on. Tensions boiled over in Guwahati on September 25 when police detained Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and his fellow protesters during a rally demanding the removal of the commissioner.
The Election Commission denies any wrongdoing. Officials claim that differing viewpoints are a standard part of their internal process and that final decisions are reached unanimously. Meanwhile, the BJP accuses the opposition of launching a calculated attack against the integrity of the election oversight body.
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