Congress Questions Modi Govt’s Reluctance to Discuss Election Commission in Parliament

New Delhi: The Congress has taken a swipe at the Modi government, questioning why it is unwilling to allow a parliamentary debate on the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) — something, the party says, has been openly discussed by past governments for decades.

On Saturday, Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the government of lacking transparency and avoiding accountability. He reminded that both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have a long history of discussing the ECI’s conduct, electoral reforms, and the influence of money in elections.

“Why is Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju afraid to allow this discussion?” Tagore asked, pointing out that debates on such matters date back to as early as 1957 in the Rajya Sabha and to the late 1970s in the Lok Sabha. These discussions, he noted, have covered a wide range of issues — from annulment of election rules and postponement of polls to curbing money power and introducing reforms like voter ID cards.

He also recalled that even critical decisions by the Chief Election Commissioner, such as postponing elections in 1993, were debated openly in Parliament without hesitation.

ALSO READ | Top 3 Wealthiest MPs: Two from Telugu States

“From discussions on money power in 1978 to proxy voting for NRIs in 2015, Parliament has always been the place to hold the ECI accountable,” Tagore said. “So why is the Modi government suddenly allergic to discussion? Democracy dies in darkness.”

Tagore accused the government of shielding what he called the “Shah ji-selected” Election Commission from scrutiny. “If previous governments faced Parliament without fear, why can’t you? What are you trying to hide from the people of India?” he asked.

ALSO READ | iQOO Z10R : Price, Specs, Launch Date & Availability