Assam CM Sarma Backs Election Commission Amid Internal Rift Claims

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pushed back against claims of turmoil inside the Election Commission on September 23. He spoke to reporters in Deoghar, Jharkhand, while attending a hospital opening. The Chief Minister dismissed growing concerns over reported infighting between Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his colleagues, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Sarma defended the integrity of the institution. He insisted that the body possesses the internal systems to manage its own affairs without outside interference. "The Election Commission is a constitutional authority with its own established structure. We should not comment on it. The structure is sufficient to handle any issues that arise," Sarma said.

Reports from The Indian Express indicate Sandhu and Joshi flagged objections at least 14 times over the last 10 months. These disputes center on electoral roll management, voter registration processes, name deletions, and centralizing roll data. Critics also raised questions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Sarma remains unmoved by the political heat. He accused opposition parties of trying to sabotage the panel whenever it ignores their demands. "The opposition is wrong. The commission is doing good work, and the opposition attempts to suppress them," he stated. Meanwhile, Election Commission officials insist they act with total unanimity. They claim all decisions, including those regarding the SIR, carry the approval of all three commissioners.