In a critical move, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has penned a letter to the Election Commission (EC) raising serious concerns over Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur's recent speech.
Yechury's missive highlights the urgency of addressing what he perceives as incitement of hatred against a specific community, a charge levied against Thakur for his alleged remarks.
Yechury's communication underscores the pivotal role of the Election Commission in upholding the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. He asserts that failure to take action against Thakur's alleged inflammatory rhetoric could lead to a loss of public trust in the EC's ability to conduct free and fair elections.
Drawing parallels with previous instances where the EC intervened to address similar violations, Yechury emphasises the importance of prompt and decisive action in this case.
The CPI (M) leader points out that Thakur's speech echoes sentiments expressed by other BJP leaders, suggesting a pattern of targeting a particular community for political gain.
Yechury condemns what he perceives as a deliberate attempt to stoke communal tensions and disrupt the electoral atmosphere. He provides evidence in the form of a video link to Thakur's speech, urging the EC to review the content and take appropriate action.
Yechury expresses disappointment with the EC's response thus far, noting a reluctance to proactively address reported violations. He highlights the EC's reliance on external complaints rather than taking suo moto cognizance of the matter, suggesting a gap in the commission's enforcement mechanism.
Moreover, he criticises the EC's failure to extend notices to prominent figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite allegations against them.
In his concluding remarks, Yechury reiterates the urgency of the situation and calls for swift and firm action from the Election Commission. He stresses the need to hold both Anurag Thakur and the BJP President accountable for the alleged violations, urging strict enforcement of relevant electoral laws.
Yechury emphasises that failure to address such infractions promptly could undermine public faith in the electoral process and erode trust in democratic institutions.
In essence, Yechury's letter to the EC serves as a stark reminder of the EC's duty to uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality in the conduct of elections, urging proactive measures to address alleged violations and maintain the integrity of India's democratic process.