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Ex-CEC Krishnamurthy questions EC on Gujarat poll schedule delay

Published

9 years ago

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TS Krishnamurthy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TS Krishnamurthy joins Opposition chorus questioning why poll panel announced schedule for Himachal Pradesh elections but not for Gujarat

Former chief election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy has said that the ongoing row over the Election Commission’s decision to announce the poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh while deferring the same for Gujarat, despite the term of the two assemblies ending within weeks of each other was “an avoidable controversy”.

Krishnamurthy, who headed the Election Commission (EC) between February 2004 and May 2005, is the second former chief election commissioner after SY Quraishi to raise questions on the poll panel’s decision of deferring the announcement on Gujarat assembly elections – an issue that has also been red flagged by the Congress and other Opposition parties.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Krishnamurthy – who like SY Quraishi has often taken a stern stand against actions taken by the poll panel or the government with regard to conduct of elections – claimed that had he been the CEC now, he would have “found a solution” to conduct the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly polls simultaneously.

“All this controversy could have been avoided with better management,” Krishnamurthy was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. “I suppose they (the EC) could have announced both (Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls) together, either one week before or one week after. I am not looking at whether the decision was influenced or not. I am concerned with whether, administratively, a solution could have been found. I think I would have found a solution,” the former CEC added.

Earlier, ex-CEC SY Quraishi had taken a similar line on the controversy, claiming that the move to break from the EC’s convention of announcing elections together in states where incumbent governments are completing their terms within six months of each other had raised “serious questions”.

The Congress, which is the principal political rival of the BJP in both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, has claimed that incumbent CEC, AK Joti has possibly delayed announcing the poll schedule for Gujarat under pressure” from the Centre, to enable the ruling BJP governments at the Centre and in the western state to announce sops for voters that will help its electoral prospects. While the Congress is in government in Himachal Pradesh and feels that it is in a position to retain power in the hill state, it hopes to end the 22-year-long BJP rule in Gujarat in the upcoming polls – riding on a reported anti-incumbency wave and major agitations against the state’s BJP regime by Dalit, Adivasi, Muslim and Patel communities (which together account for over 50 per cent of the state’s electorate).

The Gujarat assembly’s term ends on January 22, 2018 while the term of the Himachal Pradesh assembly ends on January 7. It was expected that the EC would announce the poll schedules for both the states together but last week, chief election commissioner AK Joti announced the election date only for Himachal Pradesh.

Joti cited relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected in Gujarat as one of the factors that influenced the decision to delay poll announcement in the state.

However, Krishnamurthy countered Joti’s argument by saying: “Emergency flood relief work is to be done by bureaucrats, not politicians. The Model Code of Conduct (for elections) does not stand in the way of any emergency relief work. It does not prevent existing projects from continuing. Only new projects should not be announced during the MCC period.”

While Krishnamurthy and Quraishi have both raised questions over the possible administrative lapse of the EC in delaying the announcement of the Gujarat poll schedule, the Congress has maintained that the poll panel’s move was aimed at “helping the BJP”.

The Congress has argued that several pro-people schemes that the Vijay Rupani-led Gujarat government had planned to announce right before the announcement of the elections in order to woo voters would have been stalled due to the MCC had the poll schedule been announced last week, along with that of Himachal. What adds some weight to this argument is the fact that the BJP government in the state seems in a hurry of announcing sops and schemes.

On Monday, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani had announced farm loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at zero per cent interest – a move that is likely to benefit around 2.5 million farmers mostly concentrated in rural Gujarat where the BJP seems to be losing ground. Sources say a few more such announcements are expected before October 22 – the tentative date by when the EC is expected to announce the schedule for the state’s election.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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LPU students protest over reported rape allegation, police call it rumour

Students at Lovely Professional University protested over a reported rape allegation involving a worker, with police describing the claim as a rumour.

Published

19 hours ago

on

September 27, 2026

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Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab staged a protest after an allegation involving the reported rape of a student by a worker at the university surfaced.

The protest led to disruption around the university, with students taking to the streets and blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, according to the report.

The allegation triggered anger among students, who demanded action over the reported incident.

Police describe rape claim as rumour

Police, however, described the rape claim as a rumour, indicating that the allegation had not been established as a confirmed incident.

The distinction is important because the reported sexual assault allegation should not be treated as a confirmed rape unless investigators or other authoritative sources establish that fact.

The protests nevertheless continued as students sought clarity and action over the issue.

Protest disrupts traffic

The student demonstration also affected traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. The protest brought attention to the allegations and the concerns being raised by students at the university.

With police calling the claim a rumour, further verification and investigation would be necessary to establish what actually happened.

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INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Rahul-Gandhi

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise. 

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process. 

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt. 

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously. 

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting. 

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

  • Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
  • The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
  • Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
  • A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
  • A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

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“Will die but won’t give up”: Sahil Wakode’s parents urge IIT students to continue fight 

Sahil Wakode’s parents have appealed to IIT Bombay students to continue their fight for justice amid the ongoing investigation into their son’s death.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Sahil Wakode

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have appealed to students to continue raising their voices and fighting for justice following their son’s death.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, died in his hostel room on September 18. His death has led to student protests and an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

What Sahil Wakode’s parents have alleged

Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay before his death. They have sought action against those they hold responsible and have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family has also called for a CBI inquiry and has sought the arrest of officials named in the case. These remain allegations and are part of the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the probe after an FIR was registered following the complaint by Sahil’s parents.

IIT Bombay’s position

IIT Bombay has said that Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Investigation continues

The case remains under investigation, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the allegations made by his family.

His parents have continued to demand justice and action against those they believe were responsible, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the case.

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