P. Chidambaram: 'He Should Step Down, And Then An Inquiry Can Be Ordered' - India Today
In an interview with India Today, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following investigative reports alleging internal dissent within the Election Commission of India. Emphasising accountability in constitutional bodies, Chidambaram asserted, "He should step down, and then an inquiry can be ordered." He argued that the Commission is a multi-member body where the majority view must prevail, warning that overriding fellow commissioners is unconstitutional and ultra vires. Chidambaram highlighted widespread discrepancies and large-scale deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, asserting, "the SIR process must be immediately suspended, and after an inquiry, it must be reversed." Calling for complete transparency, he urged the government to release internal files and deliberations to the public and proposed that a parliamentary committee review recent decisions of the poll body. He maintained that fair and free general elections require an impartial Election Commission.