National News

Debunking The Deshbhakt Akash Banerjee’s Half-Truths On The Election Commission

March 17, 2024
The Commune

In recent times, social media platforms have become breeding grounds for misinformation and propaganda, often peddled under the guise of activism or journalism. One such instance is the blatant propaganda spread by “The Deshbhakt” YouTube channel’s Akash Banerjee. In his latest video on the recent resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel, Banerjee pretends to “speak the truth” but he only shows one side of the story. Let’s dissect each claim made by Banerjee and bust his claims with facts. 

Claim 1: Allegations of Bias Among The Recent Election Commissioners

Banerjee alleges that past Election Commissioners (ECs) and Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) have displayed bias by affiliating with political parties. What he doesn’t tell the audience is that former CECs like TN Seshan and M.S. Gill had political affiliations especially, the fact that they joined the Congress after their tenures. TN Seshan fought in LS polls on a Congress ticket while MS Gill was selected by Congress as their candidate for the Rajya Sabha election from Punjab. Following a cabinet reshuffle in 2008, Gill was appointed as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

It is also alleged that Navin Chawla was closely associated with the Congress. The then-CEC N Gopalaswami had cited 12 instances to conclude that Chawla has not remained impartial in his role as Election Commissioner.

It seems Banerjee has not peeped into the past and only focused on the Modi years to make his video.

Claim 2: Allegations of Unfair Appointments of ECs and CECs

Banerjee alleges that the new law passed by the Modi government which gives the power of appointment of ECs and CECs to the Prime Minister compromises the independence and fairness of the electoral process. However, this assertion fails to acknowledge the established process and criteria for appointing ECs and CECs.

All 25 Chief Election Commissioners appointed since independence have been directly appointed by the Prime Minister of India. Approximately 20 out of the 25 were appointed by Prime Ministers belonging to the Congress party. It is not accurate to say that all elections held since 1950 were not free and fair. One can take the case of Navin Chawla himself and his alleged close links with the Congress that could have enabled him to be appointed as CEC. 

Banerjee did not mention that the appointment of ECs and CECs is governed by constitutional provisions and established norms, ensuring transparency and accountability in the selection process.

Before the enactment of the new law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, the President appointed the commissioners based on the government’s recommendation. It was customary for the most senior commissioner to be appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner. But Akash will not tell you that.

Banerjee goes ballistic at this point as if it is time for an apocalypse. He said, “Around 14-15 March, a high-level panel meeting will be held under the leadership of PM Modi. And you will get the names of two new election commissioners. This work has become easier for the government. The power is now with the Prime Minister that he should head that selection committee which will appoint a new election commissioner. Two other members are there in this committee One leader of the opposition, or the leader of the largest party, and a union cabinet minister. Meaning, that the PM and minister can decide and vote for their choice of election commissioner with a 2:1 majority. Supreme Court suggested a way to balance the appointment of election commissioner because free and fair elections should be conducted

The suggestion was a three-member committee – PM, CJI, and leader of the opposition or largest party But this suggestion was put in the dustbin And the Chief Justice of India was removed from the selection committee. Basically, the election that will decide the fate of any prime minister the person overseeing the elections will be chosen by PM Pro-level Fakiri is going on here.”

Claim 3: Allegations of Interference in EC Appointments by the Government

Banerjee alleges that recent changes in the appointment process for ECs undermine the independence of the Election Commission. However, a closer examination reveals a different picture.

The current law as mentioned above involves the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister in the appointment process aims to ensure representation and consensus across political parties. In its order, the Supreme Court instructed the government to include the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the Appointment Panel for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) until a new law is enacted by Parliament.

The Modi government however has expanded the appointment panel to include the Leader of the Opposition (LOP). In previous appointments, no input or suggestion was sought from any member of the opposition. But Banerjee will not tell you this. 

Claim 4: EC Ashok Lavasa & Family Harassed

Banerjee claimed that the former Election Commissioner (EC) Ashok Lavasa and his family faced harassment through repeated notices and income tax raids. However, what Banerjee did not tell you is why notices from the Income Tax Department were issued to Lavasa’s family – namely his wife and son. 

Lavasa’s wife Novel, came under scrutiny for alleged inconsistencies in her income tax returns related to her directorship in ten companies. 

Additionally, his son Abir Lavasa’s company, Nourish Organics, faced investigation over investments originating from Mauritius. Reports suggest allegations of favouritism towards certain private companies during Lavasa’s tenure in senior government positions between 2014 and 2017.

Banerjee towards the latter part of the video parrots Congress’s line – One Nation One Election One Election Commissioner. He says, “Actually, three election commissioners were appointed for this reason. Because the post of CEC is very powerful and the process of removing the Chief Election Commissioner is like removing a senior judge. It is very difficult and virtually impossible. That is why we need three Election Commissioners to keep the balance. But now we are back to one nation, one leader, one CEC, one election. One result will also come.”

Banerjee is probably not updated himself that news reports suggest that there will be 2 ECs and he mentions above that there will be one CEC, yes there has been only 1 CEC and two ECs in the past. Maybe he was not aware? News reports mention that by 15 March 2024, two ECs will be appointed.

On top of all this, Banerjee claims that Electoral Bonds is a scam and just a small part of the issue called Election Commission that has “weakened” over the past few years. Setting a negative narrative and how!

We hope Banerjee will read this and learn to speak the truth and not hoodwink his unsuspecting followers. 

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