Rohit Pawar attacks CEC Gyanesh Kumar over SIR, alleges corruption and seeks inquiry

After the MPSC students' agitation and the farmers' agitation, Rashtrawadi legislator Rohit Pawar has now opened a front against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He spoke to the media today and, through a slide show titled "SIR - Election Commission's exploits", made one allegation after another at a press conference.

Pawar asked who actually took the decision on SIR. According to him, information had been sought under the RTI Act on who decided to run such a large SIR exercise across the country, when, and on the basis of what study. Pawar claims the Election Commission gave a startling reply: that the Election Commission did not take the decision to begin the SIR process at all, and that no record of its approval exists.

Pawar also said the Cabinet Secretary has stated that the government took no such decision either. On this basis, he questioned the Election Commission's reply itself.

In the slide show, Pawar also presented figures. According to him, the number of people permanently shifted elsewhere is 6.30 crore in the country and 76.76 lakh in the state. Absent or addressless people number 3.01 crore in the country and 75.41 lakh in the state. The number of dead was given as 2.80 crore in the country and 34.82 lakh in the state. Voters with duplicate names number 1.02 crore in the country, against 17.66 lakh in the state.

Pawar then alleged that while conducting the voter roll revision process, that is SIR, 13 crore voters across the country were arbitrarily removed from the list without any solid evidence. His allegations have now caused a stir.

He also showed some examples. These included a voter identity card bearing the photograph of Nitish Kumar, former Bihar chief minister and MP, but with the name Abhilasha Kumari written on it. Citing several more such examples, Pawar raised major questions about the entire SIR process. He also questioned the Election Commission's functioning and its way of working.

At the same press conference, Pawar launched a sharp attack on Gyanesh Kumar. He alleged that Gyanesh Kumar is a corrupt person with a history of corruption. According to Pawar, in 2006 Gyanesh Kumar was an IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, working as secretary in the Kerala government's public works department. During that period, a Malaysian project officer, Lee Bin Seen, died by suicide.

Referring to this incident, Pawar made these serious allegations against Gyanesh Kumar. He made a barrage of allegations and demanded an inquiry into the entire matter. He has also demanded action.