272 former top officials of the country, judges, diplomats and army officers have made serious allegations against opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress. These people issued an open letter saying that Congress and Rahul Gandhi are ‘trying to weaken public trust in constitutional institutions including the Election Commission.’
Former officers’ allegation – ‘planned attack’ on ECI
The letter titled ‘Assault on National Constitutional Authorities’ said that some opposition leaders are trying to show through ‘poisonous rhetoric’ and ‘allegations without evidence’ that the country’s institutions are not functioning properly. The signatories alleged that after the Army, Judiciary and Parliament, the Congress is now targeting the Election Commission.
Questions on Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of ‘vote theft’
The letter said that Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly alleging vote theft, but till date he has not submitted any official complaint or affidavit. His claims like ‘100% proof’, ‘atom bomb’ and ‘treason’ were also described as ‘baseless’.
Congress leaders and NGOs also targeted
Former officials said that the Congress, the opposition and its associated NGOs have repeatedly maligned the Election Commission by calling it ‘BJP’s B-team’, while the ECI is continuously making its methods, data and processes public. It was written in the letter that the investigation conducted under the supervision of the court, the published data and the illegal names removed prove such allegations wrong.
Former officers said – this is ‘useless anger’
Those who signed it described it as frustrated anger arising from election failure. He wrote, ‘When leaders move away from the public, they start attacking institutions instead of their weaknesses. Theatrics take the place of analysis. Public service is replaced by public spectacle. It was said in the letter that even today the country needs former Chief Election Commissioners TN Session and N. We remember personalities like Gopalaswamy, who conducted fair and strict elections without any desire for popularity.
ECI should maintain transparency, leaders democratic decorum
Finally, the letter asked the Election Commission to continue making the data public, fight legal battles if necessary and avoid ‘victimisation politics’. Also appealed to the political leaders that instead of making allegations without evidence, they should compete on policies and accept the election results graciously.