Congress Calls CEC 'Liability' Over Alleged Illegal Orders

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, calling him a 'liability' for the country and accusing him of executing illegal orders from the government. The remarks came a day after Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan warned that any process disenfranchising millions of Indian citizens is 'intrinsically arbitrary' and a negation of the constitutional order.

Ramesh's attack underscores growing tensions between the opposition and the Election Commission ahead of the 2024 general elections. Justice Bhuyan's comments, made during a hearing on electoral rolls, have added a judicial dimension to the controversy. The Congress has repeatedly accused the CEC of bias and failing to act impartially, while the government has defended the commission's independence.

The development is likely to intensify political debate over the integrity of India's electoral process. Opposition parties may seize on Justice Bhuyan's remarks to demand greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission. The BJP has not yet responded to Ramesh's allegations, but the issue is expected to resonate in the upcoming election season, with potential implications for public trust in democratic institutions.