Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 29 (ANI): The Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday accused the Congress and INDIA bloc leaders of attacking constitutional institutions out of “frustration and disappointment” after failing to achieve power through democratic means.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur said the controversy surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was unnecessary and claimed that the Election Commission’s recent clarification had exposed the basis of the allegations.
“The Congress and INDIA bloc leaders have failed to achieve power democratically and, because of their frustration and disappointment, they appear to be trying to create an atmosphere of anarchy in the country. This is unfortunate,” Thakur said.
He alleged that Rahul Gandhi had been presenting his arguments through PowerPoint presentations in a manner that attempted to portray the issue to the media and the country as though a professor were teaching a classroom.
Thakur said that while Gandhi and Congress leaders carried copies of the Constitution and spoke about constitutional values, they were simultaneously making “baseless” allegations against constitutional institutions.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Thakur said Kumar had completed nearly two years in the post and questioned the basis of the allegations being made against him.
He said the Election Commission meeting held after the controversy was attended by all three Election Commissioners and that the commission subsequently issued a press note clarifying the matter.
“After the meeting of the three Election Commissioners and the press note issued thereafter, everything has become clear. The milk and water have been separated,” Thakur said.
He specifically referred to reports concerning letters sent to the Cabinet Secretary, saying they were not dissenting notes against the functioning or policies of the Election Commission.
According to Thakur, the letters related to the administrative functioning of an officer serving on deputation and were not connected with any policy decision or electoral policy of the Commission.
“There was neither any letter against an Election Commission policy nor any dissenting note on the issue being projected. The matter was limited to the administrative functioning of an officer on deputation,” he said.
Thakur said a dissenting note, if it existed, would form part of the official record and would have implications for decision-making within the three-member Election Commission.
He said decisions of the Commission are taken through its institutional mechanism and, in case of a disagreement, the majority view prevails.
Thakur said India is the world’s largest democracy and people have faith in the Election Commission as a constitutional institution.
“We live in a democratic country and we should take pride in the fact that we live in the world’s largest democracy. We have faith in the Election Commission and in the manner in which it performs its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
Jairam Thakur also referred to recent protests in Himachal Pradesh against the Election Commission and alleged that Congress leaders holding constitutional positions had participated in demonstrations against a constitutional institution.
He referred to Sukumar Sen, the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, who served from 1952 to 1958, and claimed that after his tenure he received several honours and appointments.
He also referred to Kalyan Sundaram, who served as Chief Election Commissioner from 1958 to 1967, and said he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
Thakur cited Nagendra Singh, who served as Chief Election Commissioner in the early 1970s, and other former election commissioners, arguing that several individuals associated with the Election Commission during earlier Congress governments subsequently received government appointments or honours.
He alleged that Congress leaders, including ministers and people holding constitutional offices, had participated in protests targeting the Election Commission despite the fact that the same Election Commission had conducted the elections through which Congress came to power in Himachal Pradesh.
“The Election Commission conducted the elections, the results were declared, Congress won and formed the government. But after coming to power, its leaders are protesting against the same constitutional institution,” he said.
Thakur said the BJP would not accept what he described as attempts to undermine constitutional institutions.
During the question-answer session, Thakur was asked about Rahul Gandhi’s conduct and his allegations against constitutional institutions.
In response, Thakur said the Congress leader’s repeated attacks reflected “frustration” after electoral defeats. He went on to make a personal remark about Gandhi’s mental state.
“The kind of behaviour Rahul Gandhi is displaying makes it appear that he has lost his mental balance. I am making a serious observation, and it is reflected in his conduct,” Thakur said.
He alleged that Gandhi had repeatedly criticised constitutional institutions and those discharging constitutional responsibilities.
“Congress has the right to hold its meetings, but if an attempt is made to create an atmosphere of anarchy, the government will respond. The Centre will also respond. This is nothing but frustration,” he said.
He said it was the BJP’s responsibility to highlight what he described as attempts by Congress leaders to undermine constitutional institutions. (ANI)
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