Murli Manohar Joshi states fair elections and transparent bureaucracy sustain democratic government

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday stated that a democratically elected government will endure if elections remain fair and the bureaucracy stays transparent, amid ongoing opposition demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 21st FICCI Higher Education Summit in New Delhi, the former Union minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee remarked that a government of the people, for the people, and by the people shall not perish provided elections are fair, governments are accountable, and the bureaucracy maintains transparency.

Addressing questions regarding opposition protests, Joshi noted that the opposition functions as a responsive and responsible entity with a clear-cut alternative programme. He emphasised that democratic processes must operate strictly within constitutional bounds, adding that any constitutional violations should be examined by the Supreme Court.

The political friction stems from a September 25 media report detailing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and reported differences among election commissioners. The controversy triggered widespread protests led by the INDIA bloc.

On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi led opposition leaders in a street demonstration following a lunch meeting at Janpath. The grouping staged a surprise dharna near Jantar Mantar, but police intervened for the second consecutive day, stopping the anti-CEC protest midway and detaining Gandhi along with other leaders.

The agitation continued on Thursday as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hosted another lunch meeting for INDIA bloc leaders at a Delhi restaurant. Following the meeting, the opposition leaders announced plans for a peaceful protest at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat.

During the ongoing campaign, opposition leaders alleged that the country had been hijacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Chief Election Commissioner through a criminal conspiracy involving vote theft.