Punjab Assembly Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has condemned the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, describing it as an attempt to silence democratic opposition. He made the remarks in Chandigarh while criticising the Election Commission's handling of voter-list changes.
Bajwa alleged that over 13 crore voters had been deleted. He said the issue was especially serious because elections in several states were being decided by very narrow margins. He characterised the alleged process as deliberate and unconstitutional.
The Congress leader also referred to Form 6, saying the Supreme Court had clarified that it never supported or authorised such changes. He alleged that Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was acting on his own accord.
Opposition criticism of the FIR
According to Bajwa, Congress and opposition parties had come together to present their case and had sought an appointment. He said the Leader of the Opposition, whom he described as a “Shadow Prime Minister”, was denied an audience with the Chief Election Commissioner.
Bajwa further said Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by 250–300 MPs and thousands of people. He argued that filing an FIR after the group exercised what he called its democratic right amounted to suppressing the voice of democracy.
The remarks were framed by Bajwa as a wider political dispute rather than an issue involving Rahul Gandhi alone. He said the protest represented the concerns of India's youth, elderly people, sisters and mothers.
Bajwa also claimed that around 40 to 45 FIRs already existed against Gandhi. He referred to what he described as an earlier episode in which Gandhi was expelled as an MP, removed from the House and later evicted from his home.
He said Gandhi subsequently returned after being elected again, arguing that the political voice associated with him could not be silenced. Bajwa also said that people across India would take to the streets.
Demand directed at the Election Commission
Bajwa called on the Central Government and the Election Commission to take the criticism seriously. He said public faith in the Election Commission had declined and demanded that Gyanesh Kumar leave his position.
The comments do not provide details of the FIR, including the sections invoked, the police station involved or the immediate legal process. They also present allegations about voter deletions and the Election Commission's conduct as Bajwa's claims.
Conclusion
Bajwa has linked the FIR against Rahul Gandhi to a broader dispute over alleged voter deletions, access to election authorities and the conduct of the Election Commission. He called for public mobilisation and demanded Gyanesh Kumar's departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who criticised the FIR against Rahul Gandhi?
Partap Singh Bajwa, the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, criticised it.
Q. Where did Bajwa make the remarks?
He made the remarks in Chandigarh.
Q. What voter-related allegation did Bajwa make?
He alleged that over 13 crore voters were deleted.
Q. What did Bajwa say about Form 6?
He said the Supreme Court had clarified that Form 6 never supported or authorised such changes.
Q. Who did Bajwa name in his criticism of the Election Commission?
He named Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Q. How many MPs did Bajwa say accompanied Rahul Gandhi?
He said the group included 250–300 MPs, along with thousands of people.
Q. What did Bajwa demand from Gyanesh Kumar?
He demanded that Gyanesh Kumar leave his position.
