The Congress on Friday hit back at the Election Commission (EC), accusing the poll body of bias after it dismissed allegations of irregularities in the recent Haryana assembly elections.
The grand old party claimed that the EC’s response was “condescending” and suggested the panel is “remarkably effective” at eroding its neutrality.
The Congress’s response came days after the Election Commission rejected its accusations, calling the party’s concerns a “generic doubt” aimed at questioning the credibility of an entire election, similar to past complaints.
In a letter signed by nine senior Congress leaders, including communications chief Jairam Ramesh, the party stated, “We have carefully studied your response to our complaints. Not surprisingly, the ECI has given a clean chit to itself. We would normally have let it be at that. However, the tone and tenor of the ECI’s response, the language used, and the allegations made against the INC compel us to submit the counter-response.”
Ramesh, sharing the letter on social media platform X, argued that the EC’s reply did not address specific concerns raised in 20 Vidhan Sabha constituencies. The letter further emphasised that a hearing is not an “indulgence” granted to a national party but an obligation.
The Congress also indicated it might seek judicial intervention if the EC persisted with its tone. “Judges who write decisions do not attack or demonise the party raising the issues,” the party stated, citing a previous instance where the EC unsuccessfully tried to have a high court expunge unflattering remarks on its handling of Covid-19 measures.
In its earlier response, the Election Commission criticised the Congress’s “frivolous” claims, warning that such allegations could create “turbulence” during critical election stages, such as polling and vote counting. The BJP won the October 5 election in Haryana, securing 48 of 90 seats, while the Congress took 37, the INLD won two, and Independents won three.