Time to defuse EPIC ‘fissile material’: ECI should settle ‘vote theft’ issue once and for all; it can’t be allowed to last forever

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘atom bomb’ has diffused rapidly. A large section is talking about the fissile material unleashed by him and some are even feeling it in the air. The allegations of electoral fraud are like thermonuclear weapons, with enormous damaging potential. They cannot be just brushed aside. Immediate and prompt action is a must. The watchdog, the Election Commission of India, should take urgent steps even if the Lok Sabha’s leader of Opposition refuses to sign the declaration as demanded by the poll authority. There should not be any din or squabbling over the matter as it leads to nowhere. ECI should pursue the case in a pure businesslike manner.

WHAT CAN THE COMMISSION DO?

1. Don’t ask the Congress leader to apologise because he has levelled such charges earlier too. Enough of such allegations and apologies. Since the charges were made through detailed presentation and analysis, ECI should counter them similarly.
2. Don’t let the matter die by simply declaring the allegations “absurd”.
3. Initiate probe and file an FIR.
4. If charges are proven, take actions against erring officials.
5. If allegations turn baseless, start instant legal proceedings against Gandhi for defaming a constitutional body.
6. Processes should be fasttracked. After all, it’s about the prestige of our own democracy.

If needed, the commission can be like Akbar, who, as the revised NCERT textbook says, was “brutal but tolerant”. The rule of law, in certain cases, must be brutal. ECI should settle the ‘vote theft’ allegations once and for all. History can at times be an interpretation of the bygone era, but facts aren’t opinions. Did Maratha kings control parts of Rajasthan? NCERT textbook says yes, Rajasthan’s royals say no. Probably, this matter could be allowed to linger. But ‘vote theft’ charges can’t be allowed to persist. Allegations aren’t diamonds that they last forever.