BJP Demands Gandhi Family Resignations Following Election Commission Dispute
New Delhi, august 9, 2025 – In a sharply worded response to recent criticisms leveled by Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India (ECI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain demanded the resignations of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi from their respective parliamentary positions. The demand comes after Gandhi questioned the ECI’s request for an affidavit regarding his allegations of “vote theft” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Hussain, addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, cited past Supreme Court judgements affirming the ECI’s impartiality and long-standing reputation. He argued that if the Gandhi family genuinely lacked faith in the Commission, a moral obligation existed to step down from their roles.He further extended the call for resignations to the Chief Ministers of Congress-governed states – Karnataka (siddaramaiah), Telangana (Anumula Revanth Reddy), and Himachal Pradesh (Sukhu) – asserting their leaders’ lack of confidence in the ECI reflected poorly on their administrations.
The dispute stems from Gandhi’s claims of irregularities in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, specifically alleging the inclusion of fake voters in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency of Karnataka. He addressed these concerns at the Vote Adhikar Rally in Bengaluru on Friday, August 8th, and simultaneously asserted that his oath taken within Parliament, upholding the Constitution, superseded the ECI’s demand for a separate affidavit. He has also requested a state-level examination into the alleged voter fraud by the Karnataka government.
Hussain dismissed Gandhi’s claims as “lies,” labeling him a “destroyer” of Indian democracy and the Constitution. He accused the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha of intimidation tactics against ECI officials and exhibiting “immature” behavior.
Context: The Role of the Election Commission of India
The ECI is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering election processes in India.Established in 1950, the Commission operates under Article 324 of the Constitution and is tasked with ensuring free and fair elections. historically, the ECI has been lauded for it’s role in upholding democratic principles in the world’s largest democracy, overseeing 17 general elections and numerous state elections.
The Commission’s powers include the registration of political parties, the delimitation of constituencies, and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct during election periods. While generally respected, the ECI has faced scrutiny at times regarding its handling of specific election disputes and allegations of bias. The demand for affidavits under oath from individuals making serious allegations, as in Gandhi’s case, is a standard procedure intended to ensure the veracity of claims and facilitate appropriate investigation.
The current controversy highlights the ongoing tension between political parties and the ECI, particularly in the wake of contested election results and heightened political polarization. The outcome of this dispute could have implications for future election processes and the public’s trust in the integrity of India’s democratic institutions.
key Details Not in Original Article:
Specific Names of Chief ministers: Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Anumula Revanth Reddy (Telangana), Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh).
Date of Gandhi’s Bengaluru Rally: August 8, 2025.
Reference to Article 324: The constitutional article granting the ECI its powers.
Number of General Elections overseen by ECI: 17.
* Focus on the ECI’s historical role and autonomy: Providing context for its importance.
