Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday, 26 September, pushed back against opposition leaders who have sought to draw political mileage from reported internal disagreements within the Election Commission of India (ECI), including those involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking to journalists at his residence in Gaya, Manjhi argued that those attempting to politicise differing views within constitutional bodies were simply inexperienced in how such institutions function.

Manjhi's Defence of the Election Commission

The minister cited Cabinet meetings, Election Commission proceedings, and judicial deliberations as forums where divergent opinions are routine and, crucially, expected. He stressed that a difference of opinion does not mean any single individual's view must prevail — the institution's established decision-making process determines the final outcome.

His remarks come in the wake of reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several matters over a span of 10 months. The Election Commission itself has maintained that such individual observations are part of its normal internal deliberative process and that all final decisions were taken unanimously.

Letter to Lok Sabha Speaker on SC/ST MPs' Speaking Time

Separately, Manjhi disclosed that he had written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting adequate speaking time for Members of Parliament belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities during parliamentary discussions on important Bills.

The issue was originally raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gajendra Singh Patel, who represents the Khargone Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, during an NDA MPs Group Dialogue Meeting held at Manjhi's residence on 5 August. Manjhi subsequently wrote to the Speaker on 16 September.

'The issue raised was that MPs from Dalit and Mahadalit communities get fewer opportunities to speak. I wrote to the Speaker about this; although, strictly speaking, I should have written to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, I wrote directly to the Speaker. There is no political angle to this,' Manjhi said.

How the NDA Parliamentary Group Works

Manjhi also shed light on the functioning of the NDA parliamentary group during the 2024–2029 parliamentary term. He explained that clusters of around 14–15 MPs meet under a minister's leadership at the start or end of each session to surface concerns and suggestions.

'MPs raise all kinds of issues and concerns they feel are important during these meetings. It is my practice that whenever an MP speaks, voices a grievance, or offers a suggestion, I write to the relevant ministry. I inform them that the MP has raised these points and request that necessary action be taken,' Manjhi said.

What Happens Next

Notably, this is the second time in recent weeks that a senior government figure has weighed in to defend the Election Commission's internal processes amid what critics have framed as a credibility concern for the poll body. Whether Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla acts on Manjhi's letter on SC/ST speaking time remains to be seen; the matter is expected to be taken up ahead of the next parliamentary session.