NCPI writes to PM Modi, seeks Bharat Ratna for CEC Gyanesh Kumar
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Kolkata: The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Union government to confer the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In its letter to the Prime Minister, NCPI President Jyotiprokash Chatterjee praised Kumar's leadership during the recent West Bengal Assembly election, citing peaceful polling, voter roll revisions and record voter turnout.
“I write to you as a citizen who believes deeply in the strength of Indian democracy. I respectfully request that you consider recommending Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India, for the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian honour, for his outstanding service to the electoral process,” the letter said.
“The Bharat Ratna recognises exceptional service of the highest order. I submit that the conduct of the Election Commission of India under his (Gyanesh Kumar's) leadership meets that standard, for the following reasons,” it added.
The NCPI said the Election Commission of India (ECI), under Kumar's leadership, had made several contributions towards strengthening democracy and ensuring peaceful elections.
“A peaceful and credible Assembly election in West Bengal this year has long carried a history of electoral violence, intimidation, and allegations of rigging. Under Gyanesh Kumar's leadership, the recent state Assembly election was conducted in a manner widely described as free of terror, rigging, and bloodshed. Restoring voters' confidence in a state with such a past is a rare and difficult achievement,” the party said.
The letter also highlighted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing it as a thorough exercise to scrutinise voter lists and identify ineligible entries.
“A clean election begins with a clean voter list. The Commission carried out a detailed, in-depth SIR to scrutinise the electoral rolls and identify ineligible entries, including illegal foreign nationals, so that only genuine Indian citizens exercise their vote,” the NCPI said.
“This safeguards the principle that the right to vote belongs to citizens alone, and it strengthens the integrity of every vote cast,” it added.
The NCPI further said the ECI had protected the “free and fair” spirit of Indian democracy.
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of the Constitution's promise of government by the people. By upholding the independence, neutrality, and discipline of the Election Commission, CEC Gyanesh Kumar has reinforced this foundation and strengthened the faith of more than a billion citizens in the ballot,” the letter said.
The letter concluded by saying that Kumar deserved the nation's highest recognition and that honouring him would send a message to election officials across the country that dedication to fairness and integrity was valued by the Republic.
“For these contributions, I humbly submit that Gyanesh Kumar deserves the nation's highest recognition. Honouring him would also send a message to election officials across the country that dedication to fairness and integrity is valued by the Republic,” it said.
The NCPI requested the Prime Minister to consider the proposal and recommend Kumar's name to President Droupadi Murmu for the Bharat Ratna.
With IANS inputs