‘You will not retire peacefully’: Priyanka Gandhi warns CEC Gyanesh Kumar amid Bihar elections

New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday unleashed a scathing salvo at Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), warning him that he “would not retire peacefully” amid mounting electoral tensions in Bihar. Speaking at a campaign rally, she insisted the names of Gyanesh Kumar and his colleagues S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi must be remembered by the public- a remark that has stirred a political storm. Allegations of voter-roll manipulation and threats of accountability Gandhi’s remarks were part of the broader charge from the Indian National Congress (INC) that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is effectively abetting manipulation of the electoral rolls, particularly via the controversial “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) process in Bihar. She accused the CEC and his team of “mocking the Constitution and democracy of India”, saying “If you think you will lead a convenient life after retirement, that is not going to happen.” CEC Gyanesh Kumar announces key changes EVM ballot papers; Check list here Gandhi further claimed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)/NDA was preparing to “steal” the Bihar election just as she alleged was done in Haryana. ECI, CEC strike back at criticism In response, the Election Commission has pushed back strongly. Gyanesh Kumar has asserted the SIR is a routine exercise aimed at cleaning up electoral rolls, and publicly demanded that allegations such as “vote chori” (vote-theft) be backed by affidavits or apologies in a tone many consider unusually combative for the top poll official. He also reaffirmed the Commission’s neutrality as well as its preparedness for the Bihar polls, stating there is “zero tolerance for violence” and declaring that the upcoming phase would reflect transparent, fair proceedings. Implications ahead of Bihar Assembly elections The exchange marks a major escalation in the pre-poll battle for the Bihar Assembly elections, one of the most politically important contests ahead of national elections. How can the opposition impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar? Know the whole process Congress is seeking to reframe the narrative as a fight for decency and democratic safeguards, while the ECI accused certain parties of spreading misinformation to undermine its legitimacy. For the public and observers, the remarks by Gandhi bring into sharp relief the fragility of trust in electoral institutions, especially when election integrity is challenged amid heated partisanship. If nothing else, the confrontation signals that post-poll, if the opposition wins, there may be demands for accountability and scrutiny of officials now under fire.