Gyanesh Kumar will have to go: Nasir Aslam

New Delhi, Oct 31: National Conference leader and Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, on Saturday joined the opposition’s attack on the Election Commission, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleging that the revision of electoral rolls had raised serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
Speaking at an INDIA bloc meeting held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi, Wani repeatedly declared, “Gyanesh Kumar will have to go,” accusing the poll body of failing to ensure impartiality and protect voters’ rights.
His remarks came amid opposition concerns over the electoral roll revision exercise and allegations that eligible voters were being removed from the rolls.
Wani said the Election Commission’s responsibility was not limited to conducting elections but extended to ensuring that every eligible citizen could exercise the right to vote without discrimination.
“Democracy is not merely about holding elections. It is about conducting them transparently and winning the confidence of the people,” he said.
Referring to complaints raised during the meeting, Wani alleged that voters who had participated in elections for years were finding their names missing from electoral rolls.
“Some people have been voting since 2012, but today their names have been deleted. How can people have confidence in such a process?” he asked.
He accused the Election Commission of adopting a unilateral approach to electoral roll revision and questioned whether the exercise was being carried out fairly.
Wani said constitutional institutions could not claim credibility merely on the strength of their autonomous status if their functioning failed to inspire public confidence.
“No constitutional institution, however independent or autonomous, can remain beyond scrutiny. Public trust is essential,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with Jammu and Kashmir, the NC leader referred to the August 2019 decision that stripped the erstwhile state of its special status and divided it into two Union Territories.
“Jammu and Kashmir has suffered the most. We were reduced from a state to two Union Territories without any justification,” he said, describing the decision as an example of what happens when major constitutional changes are imposed without public consent.
Wani said the fight over electoral rights was not confined to any particular state or political party and required a collective response from the opposition.
“We are fighting our battle, but everyone will have to fight this battle together,” he said.
He also took aim at those occupying constitutional offices, saying they should not assume their positions were permanent.
“Those sitting in these positions today believe they will remain there forever. History will judge them,” Wani said.
The NC leader maintained that the opposition’s central demand was for a transparent and impartial electoral process in which no eligible voter was denied the franchise.
The allegations concerning arbitrary deletion of voters remain contested and were not independently established at the meeting. (KNS)