Gyanesh Kumar faces political row after BJP chief suggests Padma Bhushan

West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya has recommended Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar for the Padma Bhushan award. Bhattacharya credited Kumar with conducting violence-free assembly elections and “cleansing” the voter list by removing illegal names. He further dismissed allegations from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding election rigging.

The endorsement has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress party. Pawan Khera responded to the remarks by stating, “The Padma Bhushan is a very small thing. Make him the Prime Minister.”

The praise comes amid ongoing controversy regarding the Election Commission’s functioning. Reports suggest two commissioners may have objected to decisions allegedly made by Kumar without their concurrence during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Additionally, the Cockroach Janta Party has issued an ultimatum for Kumar’s resignation, and a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging certain poll-related orders and software changes.