Mukesh Sahani threatens to shoot CEC Gyanesh Kumar in explosive ECI row
Synopsis
VIP chief Mukesh Sahani claimed he would have shot Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 'if forgiven for one murder' — one of the most incendiary statements directed at a sitting constitutional authority in recent memory. The remark arrived as reports of internal ECI dissent on electoral roll management reached a boiling point, with at least 14 objections reportedly raised by two Election Commissioners over 10 months.
Key Takeaways
Mukesh Sahani , chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party , on 24 September threatened to shoot CEC Gyanesh Kumar , framing it as a rhetorical expression of frustration.
Sahani alleged the Election Commission had become 'the Election Commission of the BJP ,' citing the removal of 27 lakh voters in Bengal and mid-election MCC imposition in Bihar.
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months related to the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission has maintained that all SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously by all three commissioners.
Sahani predicted Rahul Gandhi would form the government in 2029 and that Kumar would 'be among the first to go to jail.'
Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani on Thursday, 24 September sparked a sharp controversy in Patna by threatening to shoot Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying he would have done so 'if forgiven for one murder.' The remark came amid an escalating dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and reported internal dissent within the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Remark and Its Context
Sahani was addressing allegations that the Election Commission had compromised its independence in managing the SIR exercise. Expressing frustration, he said: 'If I were forgiven for one murder, I would have shot Gyanesh Kumar first.' He added that the CEC was 'playing with the Constitution of India' and should 'have some shame.'
While Sahani framed the statement as rhetorical, it drew immediate attention for its severity. He also said he 'obeys the Constitution' and stopped short of any direct call to action, instead predicting judicial accountability for Kumar after a change of government.
Allegations Against the Election Commission
Sahani levelled a series of charges against the ECI, alleging it had become — in his words — 'the Election Commission of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).' He cited two specific instances: the alleged removal of 27 lakh voters in Bengal 'with the help of police personnel,' and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct mid-election in Bihar alongside transfers of ₹10,000 to voters' accounts. These claims are unverified and represent his allegations alone.
'They are destroying democracy. They are destroying the democracy envisioned by BR Ambedkar. These elections are not for any leader — that is their misunderstanding. Elections are for the citizens,' he said.
Internal ECI Dissent: The Backdrop
Sahani's remarks came against the backdrop of reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period regarding decisions tied to the SIR exercise. The reported concerns covered the addition, deletion and restoration of voters' names, changes to Form 6, and the handling of electoral roll data.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that all decisions — including those related to the SIR — were taken unanimously with the approval of all three Election Commissioners. The Commission stated that individual observations during deliberations do not constitute separate decisions of the body.
Sahani's Political Warning
Predicting a change of government at the Centre, Sahani warned: 'In 2029, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the government will be formed, and he [Kumar] will be among the first to go to jail, along with those who have committed such acts.' He also questioned the purpose of holding elections if, according to him, electoral outcomes were being predetermined in favour of the ruling party.
The remarks are certain to invite scrutiny and possible legal action given the explicit nature of the threat against a sitting constitutional authority. Opposition parties and civil society groups are likely to weigh in as the SIR controversy continues to unfold.
Point of View
Sahani may have inadvertently deflected attention from the substantive questions about the SIR process onto the shock value of his own language. The ECI's response — that all decisions were unanimous — also warrants harder questioning: if that is so, what explains the 14 documented objections? That contradiction, not Sahani's inflammatory rhetoric, is where democratic accountability truly lies.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mukesh Sahani say about CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani said on 24 September that 'if forgiven for one murder,' he would have shot Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He framed the remark in the context of his allegations that the Election Commission had compromised its independence in handling the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The SIR is a process by which the Election Commission of India revises and updates voter registration lists, including the addition, deletion and restoration of voters' names. It has come under scrutiny following reports that two Election Commissioners raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months about decisions related to the exercise.
What internal dissent has been reported within the Election Commission?
Reports indicate that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning the SIR exercise, including matters related to Form 6, voter additions and deletions, and electoral roll data management. The ECI has said all final decisions were unanimous.
How has the Election Commission responded to the allegations?
The Election Commission has maintained that all decisions related to the SIR were taken unanimously with the approval of all three Election Commissioners. It clarified that individual observations or views during deliberations do not constitute separate decisions of the Commission.
What legal consequences could Sahani's remark trigger?
A direct verbal threat against a sitting constitutional authority such as the Chief Election Commissioner could invite scrutiny under laws relating to threats and intimidation. Legal or police action is possible, though no case had been reported at the time of publication.
