As many as 272 eminent citizens of India, including 16 judges, 123 retired civil servants, 14 ex-ambassadors, and 133 retired officers of the armed forces, penned an open letter accusing the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress of attempting to erode public faith in the Election Commission and other constitutional bodies.
The open letter is titled "Assault on National Constitutional Authorities," which alleges that the Opposition is trying to manufacture a "sense of institutional breakdown" through a "venomous rhetoric" and "provocative but unsubstantiated accusations."
The letter read, "Some political leaders, instead of offering genuine policy alternatives, resort to provocative but unsubstantiated accusations in their theatrical political strategy. After they attempted to tarnish the Indian Armed Forces by questioning their valour and accomplishments, and the Judiciary by questioning its fairness, Parliament, and its Constitutional functionaries, now it is the turn of the Election Commission of India to face systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation."
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2025
The letter signatories pointed out Rahul Gandhi for his repeated claims of "vote chori", while failing to file a formal complaint or an affidavit to back them. They highlighted his assertions, where Rahul said that he had "a hundred percent proof" and "an atom bomb" against the ECI, along with accusations of "treason", further arguing that these came "without the prescribed affidavit" needed for accountability.
It also noted that other Congress leaders, opposition parties, and some allied NGOs make similar accusations, claiming that the Election Commission acts as the "B-team of BJP." The eminent citizens argued via the letter that all assertions collapsed under scrutiny when the ECI ensured a public release of its working and the verification overseen by the Court.
Further writing, "Moreover, several senior figures of Congress and other political parties, leftist NGOs, ideologically opinionated scholars, and a few attention seekers in other walks of life, have joined in with similarly blistering rhetoric against SIR, even declaring that the commission has descended into complete shamelessness by acting like the 'B team of the BJP.' Such fiery rhetoric might be emotionally powerful, but it collapses under scrutiny, because the ECI has publicly shared its SIR methodology, overseen verification by court-sanctioned means, removed ineligible names in a complaint manner, and added new eligible voters."
Adding, "This pattern of behaviour reflects what might be called 'impotent rage', deep anger born of repeated electoral failure and frustration, without a concrete plan to reconnect with the people. When political leaders lose touch with the aspirations of ordinary citizens, they lash out at institutions instead of rebuilding their credibility. Theatrics replace analysis. Public spectacle takes the place of public service."
"Today, thinking of ECI, the country also remembers the likes of TN Seshan and N Gopalaswami, whose unyielding leadership transformed the Election Commission into a formidable constitutional sentinel. They did not court popularity. They did not chase headlines. They enforced the rules fearlessly, impartially, relentlessly."
The letter called for transparency, legal accountability, and respectful political conduct. It read, "We call upon the Election Commission to continue its path of transparency and rigour. Publish complete data, defend itself through legal channels when necessary, and reject politics, dressed up as victimhood. We call upon political leaders to respect the constitutional process, to compete not through baseless accusations, but through policy articulation, and to accept democratic verdicts with grace."