The Election Commission's response to a letter from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge expressing concern over delays in releasing voter turnout figures for the first two poll phases was labelled "completely inappropriate and unwarranted" by former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday.
In a statement posted in Hindi on X, Gehlot remarked, "The language of the Election Commission's letter, in reply to the legitimate questions raised by @kharge ji, appears more akin to that of a political party than a constitutional institution. Instead of fulfilling its responsibilities, the Election Commission seems to be aligning itself with a particular party in these elections, thereby raising doubts in the minds of the general public."
He further expressed concern that such a reaction could tarnish the Election Commission's reputation.
"It is surprising that the Election Commission is responding to internal discussions between parties but is failing to address complaints raised by opposition parties to the Election Commission. In Rajasthan, the Congress lodged more than 20 complaints, yet the Commission did not even issue notices on them," Gehlot added.
Kharge also expressed surprise at the Election Commission's decision to respond to a letter he wrote to INDIA bloc leaders while overlooking several other complaints he directly raised with the commission.
In a letter directed to the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners, Kharge highlighted the lack of urgency in addressing "blatantly communal and casteist" statements made by leaders of the ruling party.
Responding to the Election Commission's letter, Kharge clarified that his letter was an open communication explicitly addressed to the Congress' partners and not to the commission.
"It is surprising that the Election Commission of India chose to respond to this letter while ignoring several other complaints lodged directly with it. I have reservations regarding the language used in the letter, but I will not dwell on that issue considering the pressures they are operating under," Kharge stated in his letter to the poll authority on Saturday.
He noted that while the Election Commission's letter acknowledges citizens' right to ask questions, it also "threatens citizens in the form of advice to exercise caution."
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