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12 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernanceNEWS

Congress Claims Amit Shah Is 'Under Pressure' During Debate

Congress Claims Amit Shah Is 'Under Pressure' During Debate

Photo by Masjid Pogung Raya

The Congress party claimed that Home Minister Amit Shah appeared to be 'under pressure' during a Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms. Rahul Gandhi challenged Shah to a debate on 'vote chori' and criticized his response to points raised by the opposition. The party also contested Shah's allegations regarding Jawaharlal Nehru's election as Congress president in 1946, asserting that the election did not take place.

Key Facts

1.

Rahul Gandhi challenged Amit Shah to a debate on 'vote chori'.

2.

Congress contested Amit Shah's allegations regarding Jawaharlal Nehru's election as Congress president in 1946.

3.

Congress claimed Amit Shah was 'under pressure' during the Lok Sabha debate.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Constitutional provisions related to elections

2.

Electoral reforms committees and their recommendations

3.

Role of the Election Commission of India

Visual Insights

Electoral Reforms in India: A Timeline

This timeline highlights key milestones in electoral reforms in India, providing context to the current debates and discussions.

Electoral reforms in India have been a continuous process aimed at improving the fairness, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral system.

  • 1950Representation of the People Act, 1950 enacted
  • 1951Representation of the People Act, 1951 enacted
  • 1961Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 formulated
  • 1988Voting age reduced from 21 to 18 years
  • 1993Introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
  • 2013Introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
  • 2017Electoral Bonds scheme introduced for political funding
  • 2024Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms; Congress claims Amit Shah is 'under pressure'
More Information

Background

Electoral reforms in India have a long history, aiming to ensure free and fair elections. Debates surrounding electoral processes are common, often focusing on issues like voter registration, campaign finance, and the use of technology.

Latest Developments

The current news highlights a debate in the Lok Sabha on electoral reforms, with the Congress party alleging that the Home Minister was 'under pressure'. This suggests disagreements and scrutiny regarding the government's approach to electoral changes.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the historical context of the election of the Congress President, as referenced in the news article?

  • A.Jawaharlal Nehru was unanimously elected as Congress President in 1946 without any contest.
  • B.The news article confirms that an election for Congress President took place in 1946, contrary to Congress's claims.
  • C.The Congress party asserts that no election for Congress President was held in 1946, disputing claims made by Amit Shah.
  • D.Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel defeated Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1946 election for Congress President.
Show Answer

Answer: C

The Congress party is contesting Amit Shah's claims regarding the 1946 Congress President election, stating that no election took place. Therefore, option C is the most accurate reflection of the news.

2. Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India (ECI): 1. The ECI is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of impeachment similar to that of a Supreme Court judge. 3. The ECI has the power to disqualify candidates found guilty of electoral malpractices. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

All three statements are correct. The ECI is a constitutional body (Article 324), the CEC's removal process is similar to that of a Supreme Court judge, and the ECI can disqualify candidates.

3. In the context of electoral reforms in India, which of the following committees/commissions is NOT directly associated with recommendations on electoral processes?

  • A.Tarkunde Committee
  • B.Dinesh Goswami Committee
  • C.Vohra Committee
  • D.Indrajit Gupta Committee
Show Answer

Answer: C

The Vohra Committee (1993) focused on the nexus between criminals, politicians, and bureaucrats, while the other committees (Tarkunde, Dinesh Goswami, and Indrajit Gupta) specifically addressed electoral reforms.

4. Assertion (A): Debates on electoral reforms are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. Reason (R): Electoral malpractices and manipulation can undermine public trust in the government and its institutions. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why debates on electoral reforms are important. Electoral malpractices erode public trust, making reforms necessary.

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