NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Friday said the “rot” in the Election Commission of India (ECI) began well before Gyanesh Kumar became Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), with his remarks coming amid a massive row following a media report alleging differences between Kumar and the two Election Commissioners over several decisions, including the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.“The rot did not begin with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. One of his predecessors, after retirement, became chairman of a bank despite having no expertise in the banking sector. Clearly, it is a case of quid pro quo,” Kishor told PTI.He was referring to Ashok Lavasa, who resigned from the poll panel in 2020 to join the Asian Development Bank (ADB).Citing his experience as an election strategist, Kishor further claimed that he was the “first person” to flag the Election Commission’s alleged “partiality” towards the ruling BJP.”I had said so way back in 2021 after the West Bengal assembly polls. I had clearly stated that the BJP could win 77 seats because of the EC’s benediction. Had the polls been free and fair, their tally would not have exceeded 50. The EC, by its partiality, has been ensuring that those in a close fight with the BJP ended up tasting defeat and those tipped for a massive victory won only by a modest margin,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKishor had worked with the Trinamool Congress during the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections and played a key role in the party securing a third consecutive term.He also cited his experience in the recent bypoll to Bihar’s Bankipur Assembly seat, which he won in his electoral debut.“I would have won by at least 50,000 votes, but for the EC turning a blind eye to the blatant misuse of the administrative machinery and the BJP’s spending of hundreds of crores during the campaign,” Kishor alleged. He wrested the seat from the BJP, which had held it for 30 years. The seat had fallen vacant after BJP national president Nitin Nabin vacated it.The JSP founder also claimed that the “conduct of elections is compromised on all counts”, including campaign funding, the use of the bureaucracy and alleged tampering with electoral rolls.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Friday said the “rot” in the Election Commission of India (ECI) began well before Gyanesh Kumar became Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), with his remarks coming amid a massive row following a media report alleging differences between Kumar and the two Election Commissioners over several decisions, including the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.“The rot did not begin with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. One of his predecessors, after retirement, became chairman of a bank despite having no expertise in the banking sector. Clearly, it is a case of quid pro quo,” Kishor told PTI.He was referring to Ashok Lavasa, who resigned from the poll panel in 2020 to join the Asian Development Bank (ADB).Citing his experience as an election strategist, Kishor further claimed that he was the “first person” to flag the Election Commission’s alleged “partiality” towards the ruling BJP.“I had said so way back in 2021 after the West Bengal assembly polls. I had clearly stated that the BJP could win 77 seats because of the EC’s benediction. Had the polls been free and fair, their tally would not have exceeded 50. The EC, by its partiality, has been ensuring that those in a close fight with the BJP ended up tasting defeat and those tipped for a massive victory won only by a modest margin,” he said.
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Kishor had worked with the Trinamool Congress during the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections and played a key role in the party securing a third consecutive term.He also cited his experience in the recent bypoll to Bihar’s Bankipur Assembly seat, which he won in his electoral debut.“I would have won by at least 50,000 votes, but for the EC turning a blind eye to the blatant misuse of the administrative machinery and the BJP’s spending of hundreds of crores during the campaign,” Kishor alleged. He wrested the seat from the BJP, which had held it for 30 years. The seat had fallen vacant after BJP national president Nitin Nabin vacated it.The JSP founder also claimed that the “conduct of elections is compromised on all counts”, including campaign funding, the use of the bureaucracy and alleged tampering with electoral rolls.
![Warring questions ED’s election-time action NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday questioned the Enforcement Directorate’s timing in carrying out searches in the state, alleging that corruption had taken place in several departments under the “chief minister’s nose”.Warring said alleged corruption in Punjab must be investigated, but questioned why central agencies had become active only ahead of elections.”I have never given a clean chit to any central agency, because central agencies tend to become active only around election time. But yes, the fact remains that within Punjab, not just GMADA [Greater Mohali Area Development Authority]—there are many other departments and ministries where scams on a massive scale have occurred,” Warring told reporters.”Those scams must be thoroughly investigated, and this corruption was taking place right under the chief minister’s nose,” he added.Taking a swipe at those allegedly involved in the irregularities, Warring said people in Punjab were aware of what had happened.”Don’t just take my word for it; as an opposition party chief, I am bound to say this, but ask anyone, ask the common people: it wasn’t some foreign invader like Ahmad Shah Abdali who looted Delhi; the looters were specific individuals whose names are now surfacing,” he further said.Warring said the ED action was welcome but questioned why similar action had not been taken earlier.”All this happened under the chief minister’s watch. Yet, questions also arise regarding the ED: Why have you become active only now?” he said.”It is good [that action is being taken], but during the past five years when Punjab was crying out in protest, you knew that the policies of Delhi were formulated here… that the Delhi policies were mirrored here. Why were you silent back then? What were you waiting for?” he asked.”Were you waiting for Punjab to be plundered? For Punjab to be stripped clean? Were you waiting for Rs 10,000 crore to be stashed away before stepping in? Why didn’t you arrive earlier? And why right before elections?” Warring said.The Congress leader also raised the possibility of a “collusion at the top”, but stressed that this was his own assessment.”Often I am fully convinced that there is collusion at the top. It’s staged—like staging protests where you pretend you’re being victimised, and they respond… but beneath the surface, behind closed doors, there’s collusion,” he said.He also sought answers on cases and FIRs registered earlier, questioning whether those investigations had progressed.”And what happened to the major FIRs and cases filed earlier? You made huge claims back then too,” Warring said.”Corruption has taken place. Corruption has occurred across ministries and right under the chief minister’s nose. But my question remains for the ED: Why this delay? Why did you stand by watching Punjab get looted?” he said.Warring also referred to speculation about an alleged understanding involving the Union home minister and differences within the Aam Aadmi Party.”Some people even speculate that the Home Minister… these are speculations, of course. There are internal rifts within AAP as well, infighting among them… perhaps they want to wrap up those speculations too,” he said.”What the hidden secret is will be revealed gradually. I won’t say it outright today. When I say Home Minister, I mean the Union Home Minister of the country. So, where this loop originates, who is in league with whom, and who wants to frame whom—all of this will become clear in the days to come,” he added.The ED on Tuesday carried out search and survey operations at 26 premises across Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation linked to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd.The agency also surveyed the GMADA office and the Punjab government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ED said its investigation found that the promoters of Tirupati Infraprojects also controlled other entities that bought two prime auction sites in Mohali from GMADA. These entities later received substantial financial relief on dues owed to the authority, according to the agency.The agency has estimated the suspected undue gain to the companies and the resulting loss to the exchequer at more than Rs 100 crore.The searches have since turned into a political flashpoint in Punjab. The ruling AAP has accused the Centre of using central agencies against the state government ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. AAP leaders and workers also held a protest outside the GMADA office in Mohali on Thursday.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court](https://vknewstoday.in/wp-content/uploads/1790330663_photo.jpg "Warring questions ED’s election-time action NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday questioned the Enforcement Directorate’s timing in carrying out searches in the state, alleging that corruption had taken place in several departments under the “chief minister’s nose”.Warring said alleged corruption in Punjab must be investigated, but questioned why central agencies had become active only ahead of elections.”I have never given a clean chit to any central agency, because central agencies tend to become active only around election time. But yes, the fact remains that within Punjab, not just GMADA [Greater Mohali Area Development Authority]—there are many other departments and ministries where scams on a massive scale have occurred,” Warring told reporters.”Those scams must be thoroughly investigated, and this corruption was taking place right under the chief minister’s nose,” he added.Taking a swipe at those allegedly involved in the irregularities, Warring said people in Punjab were aware of what had happened.”Don’t just take my word for it; as an opposition party chief, I am bound to say this, but ask anyone, ask the common people: it wasn’t some foreign invader like Ahmad Shah Abdali who looted Delhi; the looters were specific individuals whose names are now surfacing,” he further said.Warring said the ED action was welcome but questioned why similar action had not been taken earlier.”All this happened under the chief minister’s watch. Yet, questions also arise regarding the ED: Why have you become active only now?” he said.”It is good [that action is being taken], but during the past five years when Punjab was crying out in protest, you knew that the policies of Delhi were formulated here… that the Delhi policies were mirrored here. Why were you silent back then? What were you waiting for?” he asked.”Were you waiting for Punjab to be plundered? For Punjab to be stripped clean? Were you waiting for Rs 10,000 crore to be stashed away before stepping in? Why didn’t you arrive earlier? And why right before elections?” Warring said.The Congress leader also raised the possibility of a “collusion at the top”, but stressed that this was his own assessment.”Often I am fully convinced that there is collusion at the top. It’s staged—like staging protests where you pretend you’re being victimised, and they respond… but beneath the surface, behind closed doors, there’s collusion,” he said.He also sought answers on cases and FIRs registered earlier, questioning whether those investigations had progressed.”And what happened to the major FIRs and cases filed earlier? You made huge claims back then too,” Warring said.”Corruption has taken place. Corruption has occurred across ministries and right under the chief minister’s nose. But my question remains for the ED: Why this delay? Why did you stand by watching Punjab get looted?” he said.Warring also referred to speculation about an alleged understanding involving the Union home minister and differences within the Aam Aadmi Party.”Some people even speculate that the Home Minister… these are speculations, of course. There are internal rifts within AAP as well, infighting among them… perhaps they want to wrap up those speculations too,” he said.”What the hidden secret is will be revealed gradually. I won’t say it outright today. When I say Home Minister, I mean the Union Home Minister of the country. So, where this loop originates, who is in league with whom, and who wants to frame whom—all of this will become clear in the days to come,” he added.The ED on Tuesday carried out search and survey operations at 26 premises across Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation linked to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd.The agency also surveyed the GMADA office and the Punjab government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ED said its investigation found that the promoters of Tirupati Infraprojects also controlled other entities that bought two prime auction sites in Mohali from GMADA. These entities later received substantial financial relief on dues owed to the authority, according to the agency.The agency has estimated the suspected undue gain to the companies and the resulting loss to the exchequer at more than Rs 100 crore.The searches have since turned into a political flashpoint in Punjab. The ruling AAP has accused the Centre of using central agencies against the state government ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. AAP leaders and workers also held a protest outside the GMADA office in Mohali on Thursday.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court")
