272 former top officials, judges, diplomats and military officers have made serious allegations against opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. He has issued an open letter saying that Congress and Rahul Gandhi are trying to reduce public trust in constitutional institutions including the Election Commission.
Former officials have accused the Election Commission of ‘planned attack’
The letter, titled “Attack on national constitutional authorities”, said some opposition leaders are trying to show that the country’s institutions are not functioning properly through “poisonous rhetoric” and “baseless allegations”. The signatories alleged that after the Army, Judiciary and Parliament, the Congress is now targeting the Election Commission.
Questions raised on Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “vote theft”
The letter said that Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly made allegations of vote theft, but has not yet submitted any official complaint or affidavit. His claims of “100% proof”, “nuclear bomb” and “treason” were also dismissed as “baseless”.
Congress leaders and NGOs were also targeted
Former officials said the Congress, the opposition and their associated NGOs have repeatedly maligned the Election Commission by calling it “BJP’s B-team”, while the Election Commission has consistently made its methods, data and procedures public. The letter said that the court-monitored investigation, published data and illegal names removed prove such allegations to be false.
Former officials said it was “pointless anger”. The signatories described it as frustration arising from electoral defeat. He wrote, “When leaders become distant from the public, they begin to attack institutions rather than their own weaknesses. Analysis is replaced by drama. Public spectacle replaces public service.” The letter said that the country still needs former Chief Election Commissioners T.N. Seshan and N. There is a need for people like Gopalaswamy, who conducted fair and rigorous elections without any desire for popularity.
The Election Commission should maintain transparency, the leaders should maintain democratic decorum.
Finally, the letter urges the Election Commission to continue making the data public, fight legal battles if needed and avoid “victim politics”. It also appealed to political leaders to compete on policies and accept the election results gracefully rather than making allegations without evidence.