AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi stayed away from the demonstration held in Delhi on Tuesday by opposition lawmakers against the Election Commission of India. Clarifying his stance during a public gathering in Hyderabad, Telangana, Owaisi stated that his party is not an ally of the opposition bloc, making his presence at the protest unnecessary. Beyond explaining his absence, he focused sharply on the existing framework governing the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner, calling for fundamental revisions to ensure impartiality.
Reasons for Skipping the Joint Opposition Demonstration
Addressing questions regarding his absence from the protest, Asaduddin Owaisi noted that participating in an event organized by a group he does not belong to made little sense. Invoking a common idiom about unsolicited involvement in someone else's affair, he stressed that there was no reason for him to attend. He emphasized that rather than joining tactical street rallies organized by other political formations, structural flaws within the election machinery need to be addressed through concrete legal changes.
Criticism of the Selection Mechanism for the Chief Election Commissioner
Asaduddin Owaisi identified the process of selecting the Chief Election Commissioner as the central problem plaguing the institutional setup. He argued that the current legal arrangement tilts completely in favor of the executive branch and the ruling establishment, effectively undermining the autonomy of the poll oversight body.
To correct this imbalance, he advocated a balanced tripartite selection mechanism. According to his proposal, the panel responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner should consist of the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He stressed that only a committee incorporating the judiciary, the executive, and the parliamentary opposition can safeguard the independence of the commission.
Objections to Voter List Revision in Bihar
During the same address, Asaduddin Owaisi strongly reiterated his opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists carried out in Bihar. He pointed out that he had raised objections from the moment the exercise commenced in that state.
Questioning the legitimacy of the initiative, Owaisi asserted that the SIR process is deeply flawed. He expressed apprehension that the exercise operates as a disguised mechanism to implement the National Register of Citizens through a back door, urging vigilance against such administrative procedures.
Opposition Lawmakers March from Parliament in Delhi
The remarks came in the wake of a march organized on Tuesday by 19 political parties affiliated with the opposition alliance. The parliamentarians walked from Parliament's Makar Dwar toward the headquarters of the Election Commission of India. During the demonstration, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra climbed over police barricades and staged a sit-in inside the premises of Akashvani Bhavan.
Police personnel detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other Congress leaders later on Tuesday night. The detained leaders were released by authorities shortly thereafter. Owaisi reiterated that his party remains detached from such joint political actions despite his independent criticism of the commission's framework.
