'EC In Hands Of Those Taking Sides': Opposition Responds To Poll Body Presser, BJP Hits Back

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 16:30 IST

The BJP, meanwhile, criticised the opposition's disregard of the Election Commission's comments on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's vote theft allegations

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, and SP leader Ramgopal Yadav during a press conference by INDIA bloc parties at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on August 18. (Image: ANI)

Amid reports that the opposition is considering moving an impeachment notice against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, INDIA bloc parties on Monday came down heavily on the press conference held a day before by the Election Commission of India.

The opposition parties, led by the Congress, said the Election Commission (EC) is not acting like an unbiased entity and is in the hands of officers who are taking sides. The BJP, meanwhile, criticised the opposition’s disregard of the EC’s comments on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s vote theft allegations.    

“The EC is in the hands of officers who are taking sides; it is not probing any charges made by the opposition," said Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi during a press conference held by the INDIA bloc in response to the EC’s presser.

“…In its press conference yesterday, the EC raised questions about the political parties when they had to explain why they were conducting SIR (special intensive revision) in a hurry. The EC was silent on SIR in Bihar. They were also silent on how new 70 lakh voters were added between Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections…it is clear that EC is under such officials who are not unbiased," Gogoi said.

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WHAT DID THE OPPOSITION SAY?

During the press conference, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra termed the EC’s presser as a “shameful display of puppetry" and said there should be action against the EC over “fraudulent" voter lists.

“West Bengal CM raised issue of duplicate EPIC voter cards, but issue not resolved," Moitra said. “…Absolutely shameful display of puppetry by the Chief Election Commissioner at the press conference yesterday (August 17). The job of the Election Commission is not to attack the opposition. Mr Chief Election Commissioner, I would urge you to go back to your political masters…."

Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav said it is wrong of the EC to claim that the opposition levels charges without facts, and that no affidavits have been given.

“SP leaders gave an affidavit on removal of 18,000 voters from electoral rolls in 2022 but no action by EC," Yadav said. “Election Commission saying that baseless complaints being made is wrong…In UP (Uttar Pradesh), the process to cut votes has already started…all this is done in a calculated way, and EC ignores our complaints. This is a serious issue."

Gogoi said the EC was silent on the issue of voter additions in Maharashtra, discrepancies in rolls in Mahadevapura (assembly segment under Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat), and video data deletion. “The EC is unable to provide answers to questions raised by the opposition; it is running away from its responsibility," he said.

News elections 'EC In Hands Of Those Taking Sides': Opposition Responds To Poll Body Presser, BJP Hits Back

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