Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday accused the BJP of supporting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, days after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya suggested that the poll chief deserved a Padma Bhushan. Speaking in Nagaon, Gogoi alleged that Kumar’s handling of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) had raised serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
“Padma Bhushan? The BJP will make him the President,” Gogoi said, suggesting that Bhattacharya’s remarks reflected the ruling party’s backing for Kumar. He also claimed that questions had been raised by officials within the Election Commission about the commissioner’s functioning.
Gogoi alleged that an “IT cell” had developed within the chief election commissioner’s office and was influencing decisions on whether new voters were added to electoral rolls. “Now, Gyanesh Kumar’s IT cell will determine whether or not a new 18-year-old voter gets included in the electoral roll,” he said.
The Congress leader also framed the alleged interference as an attempt to control voter lists. “We used to hear about booth capturing or the seizure of ballot boxes; now, the BJP wants to capture the entire voter list itself,” he alleged.
Gogoi reiterated the Congress demand for Kumar’s resignation and referred to party leader Rahul Gandhi’s call for the chief election commissioner to “turn approver.” He said Kumar should publicly identify those allegedly directing him to carry out “illegal and unconstitutional acts” that had damaged the Election Commission’s integrity.
The remarks marked the latest escalation in the political confrontation between the Congress and the Election Commission over electoral-roll-related issues and the functioning of the poll panel. Gogoi’s allegations were political claims and had not been independently substantiated.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/gaurav-gogoi-hits-back-at-bjp-mps-padma-bhushan-praise-for-cec-gyanesh-kumar-1455638-2026-09-26?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-09-26 16:24:00
