![\"'Calculated](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134787171,imgsize-728450,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/cec-gyanesh-kumar.jpg\" "\\"Opposition")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: A total of 42 former judges on Thursday expressed deep concern over protests targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying he had been labelled a “puppet”, “thief” and “compromised” in what they described as a “calculated campaign driven by vested political interests”.In an open letter, the veterans took strong exception to officers, who conduct the elections, being called names and shamed with “warning of reprisal once power changes hands”.“This appears to be a calculated campaign driven by vested political interests, with little regard for the potentially devastating consequences of destabilising the world\u2019s largest democracy,” the 42 veterans said.“Activist outfits with a long record of selective litigation lend these claims a veneer of legality. They file petition, one after the other. They seldom file proof,” the letter said in an apparent attack on CJP, which has been levelling serious charges against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over a reported dissent within the poll body.Veterans also said that “criticism of institutions is a democratic right. Denigration is not”.They also hit out at the Congress party<\/a>, which has doubled down on its verbal assault on Gyanesh Kumar, by questioning how the party’s victory through the same EVM goes unquestioned.The ex-service members also highlighted how ECI’s demand for sworn declaration was not submitted by the Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi.“A party that governed this nation for over five decades now claims that the very system which elected it is rigged. It does not act alone. Activist outfits with a long record of selective litigation lend these claims a veneer of legality. They file petition, one after the other. They seldom file proof,” they wrote in a letter.<\/p>\n This comes as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, after hosting a lunch for INDIA bloc leaders for the second consecutive day, declared that the opposition would be heading to Gandhi Memorial for a peaceful sit-in.Whereas, Rahul Gandhi again attacked Gyanesh Kumar, along with PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, accusing them of “hijacking democracy” through criminal conspiracy.The party on Thursday said the opposition was fighting to protect democracy, voters, and the common people of the country.The development comes amid the opposition’s ongoing protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.<\/p>\n Share your thoughts in the comments<\/p>\n<\/div>\nRahul alleges criminal conspiracy<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n