Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Khera cited former Supreme Court judge V. Gopala Gowda’s criticism of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Khera said, "This lends judicial credibility to the Opposition's claim." He argued the Election Commission misled the Supreme Court throughout.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Pawan Khera. PTI

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, citing former Supreme Court judge V. Gopala Gowda's criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

"Former Supreme Court Justice V. Gopala Gowda has publicly delivered a scathing critique of the SIR process. He has called for the Supreme Court to suo motu recall its SIR judgment and review the matter afresh in light of the latest details and records," Khera wrote on X.

Khera shared a LiveLaw post reporting Gowda's remarks and argued that they strengthened the Opposition's case.

"This lends judicial credibility to the Opposition's claim. The ECI has not only acted in a high-handed manner, as though the CEC's personal fiefdom, but has also twisted the SIR process in a perverse manner to mislead the Hon'ble Supreme Court."

"This is unacceptable, and we are sure that the Hon'ble SC will listen to the moral appeal of the country and respond accordingly by recalling the SIR judgment."

Khera then addressed Kumar directly.

"Meanwhile, Gyanesh Babu must accept that there is too much trouble in the waters for him. He must resign and turn approver or be prepared to be tried for TREASON."

According to the LiveLaw, Gowda alleged that the judgment upholding SIR resulted from the Election Commission misrepresenting facts and misleading the court.

He urged the Supreme Court to recall the judgment on its own initiative and seek the Commission's records. He said that these should establish whether the SIR decision had the concurrence and approval of a majority of the election commissioners.

"Illegality and unconstitutionality is writ large on the [SIR] judgment," LiveLaw quoted Gowda as saying.

The Election Commission has previously maintained that its SIR orders were approved unanimously. In a September 26 statement, it said the full Commission approved the initial order and subsequent schedules.