'Not talking on behalf of EC': Union minister says 'no proof' of EC-SIR row, slams oppn

NEW DELHI: Union minister Prahlad Joshi dismissed opposition protests regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting there is no "concrete proof" to substantiate allegations against the Election Commission. Reacting to opposition claims, Joshi stated the protest represented the "pain" stemming from their electoral defeat, suggesting they were voicing that distress through the SIR issue.

His remarks followed a report from The Indian Express citing internal concerns over the SIR exercise, which claimed Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi submitted 14 written objections over a 10-month period. The opposition called for action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and a suspension of the SIR, while the Election Commission (ECI) maintained all decisions were unanimous.

Joshi disagreed with the opposition's assertion of unilateral decision-making, citing the ECI's own press release and emphasizing that all decisions were taken unanimously. Joshi clarified he was not speaking on behalf of the Election Commission, but based on its press release.