Anurag Thakur defends Election Commission amid New Delhi protests

Protests have intensified in New Delhi as opposition groups demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging ‘vote theft’ and irregularities in the electoral process. Demonstrators have specifically targeted the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur has defended the electoral roll revision, stating the process is designed to remove duplicate entries, deceased individuals, and ineligible voters rather than denying legitimate rights. Thakur accused opposition leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading instability and undermining public confidence in constitutional institutions. He further alleged that the opposition only questions the integrity of the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) following electoral defeats.

Thakur also suggested that some opposition leaders may be pursuing agendas influenced by foreign forces to weaken Indian democracy, though he did not provide specific details to substantiate the claim. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission have denied all allegations of wrongdoing regarding the handling of electoral data.